Barriers to Adoption of VR-Haptic Technology in Dental Training Identified in Global Survey

A recent international survey encompassing 156 educational institutions has unveiled significant challenges associated with the integration of virtual reality (VR) and haptic technology in dental education. Conducted by the University of Eastern Finland, the findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Dental Medicine.

VR-haptic technology, which combines immersive virtual experiences with tactile feedback, is increasingly being recognized as a valuable tool to enhance traditional preclinical skill training in dentistry. The primary goal of this survey was to assess the perceptions and requirements of dental educators regarding the acceptance and application of VR-haptic systems in their teaching methodologies.

Among the 387 respondents, over one-third (35%) reported facing technical limitations with existing VR-haptic systems, including inadequate precision in haptic feedback and a lack of diverse procedural options. These issues pose significant challenges in effectively transferring learned skills to real-life patient care scenarios. Additionally, financial constraints emerged as a critical barrier, with 28% of institutions indicating difficulties in acquiring the necessary devices, leading to limited accessibility for students.

Resistance to adopting new technologies was also noted, with 24% of respondents highlighting low acceptance rates among both educators and students. This reluctance is often attributed to the disruptions that new technologies may cause to established teaching practices. Furthermore, 13% of participants pointed out that the time required to adapt curricula and train faculty members presents another major obstacle to integrating VR-haptic technology into dental education.

To overcome these challenges, the study's authors advocate for ongoing advancements in both hardware and software, as well as initiatives aimed at reducing costs associated with VR-haptic systems. They also recommend implementing targeted training programs for faculty to illustrate the educational advantages of using VR-haptics. The authors emphasize that successful implementation will require collaboration across various dental disciplines, including restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, and endodontics, to develop tailored training scenarios that reflect the needs of each specialty.

For more information on this study, refer to the article titled Insights from the global education survey on the use of VR-haptics in dental education in Frontiers in Dental Medicine.