Computer games help dental students.
Virtual reality computer programs are now being used to train the dentists of tomorrow.
Computer simulations of complex dental operations have been developed to give dentistry students practice at performing the tough procedures before they attempt the real thing.
These programs give the students some good experience of patient safety and build their confidence before they begin drilling teeth for real.
Talking to WRFV.com, dental student Sarah Padolsky, explains a virtual reality dental implant operation, saying: “It kind of asks you whether or not you think this patient is a good candidate for the implant.
“You give the reasons for it and then on the second visit you go in and you actually start the implant.”
In the simulation students learn how to find out about their virtual patients’ medical history, do examinations and make diagnoses.
After these steps students can then do a virtual dental implant operation if it is warranted.
Dr. Roman Cibirka, creator of the program, said: “The idea is that they would have an anytime, anywhere opportunity to take the knowledge and skills as they have acquired and in that didactic arena, the classroom, the laboratory and reinforce those opportunities, that knowledge base in the clinic with the use of the game.
“We know that through the literature that surgeons that use games are better, they’re faster and they have less risks to patients through the use of video games.
Injecting anaesthesia in the incorrect place can leave the patient sore and uncomfortable so Dr. Cibirka devised the program to give students more opportunities to practice to get it right.
“If they have a better, stronger more robust learning experience, the end goal, I think the outcome for the benefit of society is improved patient safety outcomes,” added the Doc.
The dental simulator was created at the Medical College of Georgia, and is now being tested by dental schools all around the globe.
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