A Systematic Review of Research on Virtual Reality-Based Education for Dental and Dental Hygiene Students in Korea

Background: Virtual reality (VR) simulators offer immersive and repeatable training without ethical risks and are increasingly utilized in dental education.In Korea, VR-based simulations are still emerging, and a review of domestic research is required to inform their application.Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.Four Korean academic databases (RISS, Science ON, KISS, and KCI) were searched for studies published between 2016 and 2025 using the PICO-SD framework.Studies targeting dental and dental hygiene students, and those involving VR simulators were, included.Of the 267 identified records, 14 met the inclusion criteria.The records were analyzed according to publication year, study quality, educational content, outcomes, and evaluation domains.Results: Most of the studies were published after 2020, with an increasing focus on dental hygiene students.VR is primarily used in radiology and pediatric dentistry, with dental hygiene applications limited to radiographic procedures.Affective outcomes, such as satisfaction and engagement, are commonly measured and generally show positive effects.However, studies on dental hygiene education have rarely assessed cognitive or psychomotor domains.Methodological weaknesses were common, including a lack of justification for the sample size and homogeneity testing.Conclusion: VR simulation is a promising educational tool for dentistry and dental hygiene in South Korea.Future research should employ more rigorous designs and expand VR applications beyond radiology to include core competencies such as oral assessments, periodontal evaluations, and preventive care planning.