Journal Article

Use of virtual simulation for regenerative endodontic training: randomized controlled trial

Huang, Xiaojing, Wang, Xiuqing, Lu, Guoying, Hu, Jia, Chen, Ruonan, Zhang, Ming

2025

Overview

Objectives This study aimed to develop an experimental teaching module based on virtual simulation (VS) to facilitate the instruction of undergraduates in regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) and to assess its impact on academic outcomes and students’ perceptions. Methods A REPs-VS platform with detailed diagnostic thinking, treatment protocol, and outcome evaluation scripts we developed. In total, 123 undergraduates in the fourth year were randomly divided into group A (REPs-VS teaching mode) and group B (traditional teaching mode). The effectiveness was evaluated by theoretical and operational examinations. The perspectives of students were assessed via questionnaires. Results The total scores of the theoretical and operational examinations in group A were 82.10 ± 14.50 and 90.65 ± 4.81, respectively, which were significantly higher than the control group. Approximately 98.3% of students in group A agreed that the REPs-VS teaching platform improved their knowledge and skills. Most of the students in both groups unanimously acknowledged that the REPs-VS platform effectively enhanced the course’s entertainment value and consequently increased their enthusiasm. Conclusion The REPs-VS teaching platform established herein is an innovative and practical tool that can enhance the comprehension of REPs among undergraduate students, providing a more robust foundation for clinical practice.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Adult / Attitude Change / Clinical Competence / Collaboration / Communication / Communication Skills / Computer Simulation / Computer Software / Control Groups / Curricula / Decision Making / Dental Evaluation / Dental Schools / Dentistry / Education / Education, Dental - methods / Educational administration / Educational Assessment / Educational Measurement / Educational Needs / Educational Objectives / Educational Quality / Educational Strategies / Educational Technology / Endodontics / Ethics / Experimental Groups / Experimental Teaching / Female / Games / Haptics / Humans / Influence of Technology / Instructional Improvement / Interviews / Knowledge Level / Learner Engagement / Learning / Learning Experience / Learning Modules / Male / Medical diagnosis / Medical Education / Medical research / Methods / Patients / Regenerative endodontics / Regenerative Endodontics - education / Sample Size / Simulation / Simulation methods / Simulation Training - methods / Skill Development / Skills / Software / Students / Students, Dental - psychology / Surveys and Questionnaires / Teaching methods / Teaching model / Theory of Medicine/Bioethics / Tissue engineering / Training / Virtual Reality / Virtual simulation / Young Adult