VR-Haptic in dentistry

The Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine (HeiCuDent Teaching) is setting new standards in dental training with the introduction of a structured VR haptics curriculum. The use of haptic virtual reality simulations (VR-Haptic) gives dental students the opportunity to acquire and deepen procedural dental skills in a safe, standardised and highly realistic learning environment. This is made possible by immediate haptic feedback and real-time analysis of the exercises performed.

In this way, VR-Haptik supports modern, skills-orientated teaching and promotes the sustainable development of clinically relevant skills.

Structure of the HeiCuDent VR-haptics curriculum

In the preclinical I courses as part of the work placement for professional orientation (BFE), students first practise basic manual dexterity skills and initial simple preparation techniques.

The phantom courses, in which students practise various practical work steps on the phantom model, are an essential part of Preclinical II . In addition, free practice slots are available on the VR haptic simulators. These offer the opportunity to practise preparation techniques flexibly, as often as required and in a resource-saving manner. The VR systems allow individual learning progress to be analysed in detail.

In the future, VR haptics will serve as a supplement to real patient treatment in clinical courses . Complex treatment steps can be prepared and reflected on with simulation support before real patient care - an important contribution to patient safety and the professionalisation of clinical skills.

Our team
The project is supported by a dedicated team. The team is responsible for the curricular integration, quality assurance and further development of the VR haptics programme in teaching.
It is supported by specially trained digitutors (students from higher semesters) who accompany students as they get started with the simulation, supervise open training times, answer technical questions and provide valuable feedback on the further development of the format. The digitutor programme thus strengthens peer learning/peer teaching and creates a collaborative environment that is conducive to learning.