The use of simulators in the development of dental skills

ABSTRACT Training dental students to be prepared to face real situations in the clinic with patients can be challenging and demand many laboratory hours practicing. Still, new technologies are currently available to contribute to the student’s development of dental skills. This manuscript reviewed the global literature on using virtual, augmented, and haptic reality simulators in dental student training and discussed the advantages of simulators, such as their ability to provide a safe and controlled environment for students to practice, and their disadvantages, including the high initial cost and the potential for over-reliance on technology. The authors clarified the differences between the various types of simulators available and discussed their applicability in dental education. The studies reviewed indicate a global trend of incorporating simulators in dental education. This not only significantly enhances the pre-clinical training of dental students but also boosts their self-confidence as they transition into the clinical phase of their education. As dental simulators prove to be an effective strategy for learning, it is likely that they will become a standard part of the dental program curriculum.