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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Feb 17;25(1):254.
doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-06808-5.

Use of virtual simulation for regenerative endodontic training: randomized controlled trial

Jia Hu #  1   2 , Xiuqing Wang #  1 , Ruonan Chen #  1 , Guoying Lu  1 , Ming Zhang  1 , Xiaojing Huang  3   4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Use of virtual simulation for regenerative endodontic training: randomized controlled trial

Jia Hu et al. BMC Med Educ. .

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to develop an experimental teaching module based on virtual simulation (VS) to facilitate the instruction of undergraduates in regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) and to assess its impact on academic outcomes and students' perceptions.

Methods: A REPs-VS platform with detailed diagnostic thinking, treatment protocol, and outcome evaluation scripts we developed. In total, 123 undergraduates in the fourth year were randomly divided into group A (REPs-VS teaching mode) and group B (traditional teaching mode). The effectiveness was evaluated by theoretical and operational examinations. The perspectives of students were assessed via questionnaires.

Results: The total scores of the theoretical and operational examinations in group A were 82.10 ± 14.50 and 90.65 ± 4.81, respectively, which were significantly higher than the control group. Approximately 98.3% of students in group A agreed that the REPs-VS teaching platform improved their knowledge and skills. Most of the students in both groups unanimously acknowledged that the REPs-VS platform effectively enhanced the course's entertainment value and consequently increased their enthusiasm.

Conclusion: The REPs-VS teaching platform established herein is an innovative and practical tool that can enhance the comprehension of REPs among undergraduate students, providing a more robust foundation for clinical practice.

Keywords: Regenerative endodontics; Teaching model; Virtual simulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The authors confirm that the research adhered to the ethical principles outlined in the WMA Declaration of Helsinki for medical research involving human subjects and firmly assert that the study fulfills these principles. The study was approved by the Fujian Medical University Ethics Committee in 2022 (No: 202241). Written informed consent was obtained from all experimental participants. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A flowchart of the study design
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The VS platform for teaching REPs. (a) The wet-page of REPs-VS platform in iLAB-X; (b) Two mode of the platform: learning and examination; (c) Human-computer interface; (d) Experimental procedure: access the cavity; (e) Instrument selection and experimental procedure of blood clot formation; (f) Follow-up visits exhibited root maturation through virtual simulation
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Questionnaire evaluation for Group A
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Questionnaire evaluation for Group B
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
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