VR-Haptic Technologies and Their Applications in Dental Education

Dental education is on the cusp of a transformative shift, traditionally rooted in hands-on training using real or synthetic models. As digital technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and haptic feedback systems evolve, new methods of training are emerging, significantly impacting how dental students learn and practice their skills in dental surgery. VR-haptic technologies provide tactile feedback within immersive virtual environments, creating risk-free, realistic scenarios for students to hone their clinical skills. Initial systems such as Simodont, introduced in 2009, paved the way for this technology, and ongoing technological enhancements have only improved its potential. Despite these advancements, there are questions about the technology's effectiveness, challenges in implementation, and how it compares to conventional training methods.

This Research Topic aims to critically evaluate the integration, effectiveness, and potential of VR-haptic technologies in dental education and dental surgery. We seek to understand how these technologies can complement and potentially replace traditional hands-on training. The investigation will focus on several key aspects: enhancements in motor skill acquisition, decision-making processes, and student engagement through the use of VR-haptic systems. Additionally, this topic will explore the cost-effectiveness and implementation challenges faced by educational institutions adopting these technologies.

The scope of this Research Topic involves a comprehensive examination of VR-haptic technologies in dental education, focusing on the advantages and limitations of current systems. To gather further insights in the realm of digital simulation and interactive learning, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Effectiveness of VR-haptic simulators in skill acquisition and assessment.

• Comparative analyses of VR-haptic training versus traditional methods.

• Technological innovations in haptic feedback and virtual learning environments.

• Psychological impacts of VR-based learning on dental students.

• Challenges and solutions in implementing VR-haptic systems.

• The role of AI in customizing and enhancing VR-haptic dental training.

Submissions may include original research, systematic reviews, case studies, or technology-focused articles exploring the multifaceted adaptations and enhancements of VR-haptic technologies in dental education.

Keywords: virtual reality, digital dentistry, dental education, haptic technology, artificial intelligence, dental surgery

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.