Application of Simodont virtual simulation system for preclinical teaching of access and coronal cavity preparation

To explore the quality, reliability, and practical effect of the Simodont virtual simulation training system in preclinical teaching of access and coronal cavity preparation for dental undergraduate students. Twenty dental undergraduate students from Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, were recruited and randomly divided into two groups after theory training. The groups were allocated using the random number method and assessed for access and coronal cavity preparation skills using a standardized assessment form and the Simodont virtual simulation system operation manual. Baseline scores were recorded for each student. One group received training with the Simodont virtual simulation system, while the other used a conventional phantom simulator system. After training, skills were reassessed, and scores were recorded. The groups then switched training systems and were assessed again. All students completed a Teaching Questionnaire at the end of the training. Data was collected and analyzed. The mean score of students in the virtual simulation priority group (15.9 ± 0.56 points) and the phantom-simulator priority group (15.3 ± 0.40 points) was significantly higher than the baseline score (13.3 ± 0.63 points) and (13.1 ± 0.30 points) (P < 0.05), respectively. Furthermore, the mean score of students in the virtual simulation priority group after training with both systems (15.9 ± 0.56 points) was significantly higher than that of the students in the virtual simulation priority group alone (14.2 ± 0.62 points) (P < 0.05). The mean score was also significantly higher in the virtual simulation priority group of students (15.9 ± 0.56 points) trained with both systems than in the phantom-simulator priority group of students (15.3 ± 0.40 points) trained with both systems for the assessment (p < 0.05). The mean score of students in the phantom-simulator priority group (15.3 ± 0.40 points) after training with both systems was significantly higher than that of the students in the phantom-simulator priority group alone (14.3 ± 0.28 points) (P < 0.05). The questionnaire results showed that the students fully agreed that "the Simodont virtual simulation system has the characteristics of repeatability, multi-dimensionality, and multiple practices, and gives me more attention to details. However, they also noted that "it needs to be improved and upgraded to be closer to the conventional phantom-simulator system. Compared with the conventional phantom-simulator system alone, the preclinical teaching effectiveness of access and coronal cavity preparation could be significantly enhanced by incorporating the Simodont virtual simulation system alongside the phantom-simulator training system. The training sequence might influence this improvement.