title: Capturing differences in dental training using a virtual reality simulator.
abstract: Virtual reality simulators are becoming increasingly popular in dental schools across the world. But to what extent do these systems reflect actual dental ability? Addressing this question of construct validity is a fundamental step that is necessary before these systems can be fully integrated into a dental school's curriculum. In this study, we examined the sensitivity of the Simodont (a haptic virtual reality dental simulator) to differences in dental training experience. Two hundred and eighty-nine participants, with 1 (n = 92), 3 (n = 79), 4 (n = 57) and 5 (n = 61) years of dental training, performed a series of tasks upon their first exposure to the simulator. We found statistically significant differences between novice (Year 1) and experienced dental trainees (operationalised as 3 or more years of training), but no differences between performance of experienced trainees with varying levels of experience. This work represents a crucial first step in understanding the value of haptic virtual reality simulators in dental education.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.|School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mirghani
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mushtaq
authors.affiliation: Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Allsop
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.|School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: L M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6522-8549
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Al-Saud
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tickhill
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keeling
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mon-Williams
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manogue
mesh_terms: D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D000066908:Simulation Training; D000076142:Virtual Reality
keywords: dentistry; sensorimotor skill; skill assessment; undergraduate dental education; virtual reality