An interventional study of SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality Simulator and Conventional Training in Dental Education and Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block, sponsored by Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-17.
Sponsored by Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality simulator-based training in teaching the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) technique to third-year dental students. Participants were randomly assigned to either a virtual reality simulator training group or a conventional training group. The outcomes evaluated include theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, procedural performance, self-confidence, and anxiety levels associated with IANB administration. The study aims to determine whether virtual reality simulation provides advantages over conventional educational methods in local anesthesia training.
Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is one of the most frequently performed local anesthesia techniques in dentistry and requires adequate theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, and psychomotor skills. Traditional educational methods may not provide sufficient opportunities for repeated practice without patient involvement.
Virtual reality (VR) simulators with haptic feedback have emerged as innovative educational tools that allow students to perform procedures in a safe and controlled environment. However, evidence regarding their effectiveness in IANB training remains limited.
This randomized controlled study evaluates the effectiveness of a VR simulator (SIMtoCARE) in teaching the IANB technique to third-year dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Necmettin Erbakan University. Participants were randomly assigned to either a VR-based training group or a conventional training group.
A total of three questionnaires were administered to the students. Based on the results of these questionnaires, several parameters, including theoretical knowledge, anatomical awareness, self-confidence, and anxiety levels, were evaluated.
The findings of this study may contribute to the development of evidence-based educational strategies and support the integration of VR simulation into the dental education curriculum.
Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi is the lead sponsor of 27 studies on the registry; 4 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants completed the first questionnaire after the theoretical training. They then received virtual reality simulator-based training using the SIMtoCARE system. Following this training, they completed the second questionnaire. After the virtual reality training, participants also received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire.
Other: SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality Simulator · Other: Conventional Training
Participants completed the first questionnaire after the theoretical training. They then received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire at the end of the training.
Other: Conventional Training
A haptic virtual reality simulator used for inferior alveolar nerve block training.
Traditional theoretical and practical instruction for inferior alveolar nerve block administration.
Change in inferior alveolar nerve block education questionnaire score
Difference in questionnaire scores assessing theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, self-confidence, and anxiety related to inferior alveolar nerve block administration between baseline and post-training assessments. The effect of virtual reality simulator-based training will be evaluated through changes in these scores.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of training
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers. The questionnaire data were collected anonymously and will be used only by the study investigators for research purposes.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi