Simulation of dental operation is a popular tool to teach students technical and nontechnical skills. One of the most typical operations in practice is tooth extraction, and a group of French scientists decided to research whether its simulation model can cause the same emotions as in real-life cases to prove its educational effectiveness.
So, what did the research find?
The author stresses that doctors' emotions are one of the key factors of successful dental treatment, as they can, for instance, lead to increased motivation. Still, at the same time, negative emotions may cause significant stress and anxiety in dentists, worsening communications with the patient, especially in pediatric dentistry.
During the experiment, a party of fifth-year dental students conducted an extraction of the first primary molar on "simulated" (SimMan 3G system was used) 5-year-old children and a control group of real kids (students who provided real extraction had required clinical experience).
The research used self-administered questionnaires following each procedure to gather data about dentists' feelings during the simulation and practical cases.
The study demonstrated only insignificant differences between the two groups:
- Felt satisfaction after the operation – reported about 85% and 96% in clinical practice and simulation, respectively.
- Did not enjoy dealing with anxious/uncooperative patients – 71% and 84%
- Lost their composure during the operation – 71% and 84%
Thus, research proved that existing methodologies of operation simulation in dental education are highly useful tools that provide students with a reliable and authentic experience for preparing for pediatric clinical practice.
