Luai, Amirul Faiz and Zawawi, Nur Dini Ahmad and Rusli, Fadhli and Lin, Galvin Sim Siang and Nagasawa, Masako and Rani, Haslina and Park, Young‐Seok and Dom, Tuti Ningseh Mohd and Kadir, Rahimah Abdul (2026) Impact of virtual reality and haptic simulators in dental education and training among dental students: an umbrella review. European Journal of Dental Education, 30 (4). pp. 2048-2060. ISSN 1396-5883 E-ISSN 1600-0579
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Abstract
Objectives To synthesise and critically appraise systematic reviews evaluating the impact of virtual reality (VR) and haptic simulators on dental students' learning outcomes in preclinical and clinical education. Methods Three databases were searched from January 2011 to June 2025. Eligible evidence comprised only systematic reviews (with/without meta-analysis) published in English which focused on undergraduate or postgraduate dental students using VR, haptic, or integrated VR–haptic simulation for skills training. Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, appraised methodological quality using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2), and calculated the Corrected Covered Area (CCA) to assess citation overlap. Results Six systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria; one included a meta-analysis reporting a significant performance advantage after haptic-simulator training, albeit with very high heterogeneity (I2 = 92%). Across reviews, VR–haptic training was consistently associated with improved preclinical performance (accuracy, error reduction, efficiency) and greater learner confidence, with the strongest evidence in restorative dentistry and supportive signals in endodontics, implantology, periodontics, paediatric dentistry, radiology and oral & maxillofacial surgery. Methodological confidence was limited: AMSTAR 2 ratings were low to critically low. Overlap analysis indicated moderate redundancy (CCA = 6.05%), suggesting some recirculation of primary trials across reviews. Conclusions VR and haptic simulators confer meaningful advantages for preclinical acquisition and learner confidence in dental education, but certainty is tempered by methodological weaknesses and substantial heterogeneity. Their optimal role is as high-fidelity adjuncts within blended curricula.
| Item Type: | Article (Journal) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | dental education, haptic simulation, systematic review, umbrella review, virtual reality |
| Subjects: | L Education > L Education (General) R Medicine > RK Dentistry |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | Kulliyyah of Dentistry Kulliyyah of Dentistry > Department of Restorative Dentistry |
| Depositing User: | Dr Galvin Sim Siang Lin |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Nov 2026 15:56 |
| Last Update: | 05 Nov 2026 15:56 |
| Queue Number: | 2026-10-Q6031 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/132489 |
| Indexed In: | SCOPUS |
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