Simulations in Dental Education: History, Current Technologies, and Future Perspectives – A Review

Simulation-based training has become an integral component of dental education, evolving from traditional hands-on techniques to virtual reality (VR) and haptic-based systems. This review examines the historical progression, current applications, and emerging advancements in dental simulation technology. Early preclinical training relied on extracted teeth and phantom head models, providing students with basic technical skills. The introduction of VR-based simulators in the early 21st century enhanced training by integrating digital case scenarios and real-time performance feedback. This review underscores the transformative role of VR and haptic simulation in dental education, highlighting both achievements and areas requiring further research and development.