Alexandria, VA, USA – A Symposium exploring the current and future roles of virtual reality (VR) and haptics simulation tools in dental education was presented at the 102nd General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the 48th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, on March 13-16, 2024, in New Orleans, LA, USA.
Most of the research in dental simulation with VR/haptics and digital technologies has been focused on the design of learning environments and their effectiveness in teaching clinical skills. The incorporation of different digital technologies in simulation is playing a more crucial role than before in offering a dental education program that complements the provision of holistic patient care. Simulation also enables delivering dentistry and oral care education in safe and innovative learning environments that are increasingly digital and sustainable.
This symposium outline new digital approaches to teaching that use a multifarious range of innovative virtual and augmented technologies, physical models, and real patient scans. These features are intended to complement the skills needed for clinical competence with intra- and inter- professionalism, communication, and collaboration. However, limited evidence is known on how these new approaches influence digital literacy in the context of dentistry or how this will affect learner cognitive development as learning is transferred from one context of reality to another (virtual to analogue to patient). With contributions from both the audience and an industry panel, symposium presenters elaborated on both the progress and the research outcomes in learning and teaching with VR/haptic simulation.
Organized by Jonathan San Diego and Analia Keenan, the Symposium, “Virtual Reality and Haptics Simulation in Enhancing Learning Clinical Competence” took place on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 2 p.m. Central Standard Time (UTC-6).
About IADR
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide. IADR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. Learn more at www.iadr.org.
About AADOCR
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research to advance health and well-being. AADOCR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. AADOCR is the largest division of IADR. Learn more at www.aadocr.org.