Immersive Reality–Based Training Simulator for Dental Extraction: Protocol for a Randomized Pilot Trial

JMIR Research Protocols, vol. 14, pp. e74978

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dental students' competencies are shaped by their training, yet traditional methods with mannequins often lack the depth necessary for comprehensive understanding, potentially impacting clinical proficiency. Immersive reality (IR) innovatively offers interactive and scenario-based environments that may enhance skill acquisition. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effectiveness of IR-based training implementation in comparison with conventional training methods for dental extractions. METHODS: A prospective multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted. Students were randomized to either IR-based training on open and closed extractions or conventional hands-on tutorials by oral surgeons. Post training, participants' satisfaction and understanding were assessed and analyzed. RESULTS: As of September 2025, 60 students from Hasanuddin University, Makassar, and Padjajaran University, Bandung, have been enrolled, and study enrollment will be expanded to Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan. Data collection is ongoing and will conclude in November 2025, with expected dissemination in early 2026. CONCLUSIONS: IR-based training offers a novel approach that may boost motivation, knowledge retention, and skill transfer in dental education. This pilot protocol explores IR's feasibility and potential to advance dental students' competencies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Indonesian Clinical Research Registry INA-QES4CC5; https://ina-crr.kemkes.go.id/en/studi/207. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/74978.

Authors 9

1. Endang Sjamsudin

   Padjadjaran University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Padjajaran University, Bandung, Indonesia

2. Muhammad Ruslin

   Hasanuddin University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

3. Olivia Avriyanti Hanafiah

   Universitas Sumatera Utara

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of North Sumatra, Medan, Indonesia

4. Carolina Stevanie

   Hasanuddin University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

5. Sri Kurniawan

   University of California, Santa Cruz

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Computational Media, Jack Baskin School of Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

6. Muh Anshar

   Hasanuddin University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

7. Paolo Boffano

   Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro” · Hasanuddin University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro", Novara, Italy

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia

8. Tymour Forouzanfar Aachen Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

9. Cortino Sukotjo

   University of Pittsburgh

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States