Evaluating the efficacy of Toothy VR: A virtual reality simulation for dental implant training

Objective: Virtual Reality (VR) is transforming the field of medical education by creating immersive, interactive, and secure training, especially in resource-constrained environments; however, its application in dental education remains limited, with key research gaps in long-term skill transfer to clinical practice, cost-effectiveness, and standardized curriculum integration. The current study presents the developments and effectiveness of Toothy VR, a VR simulation environment for dental training to acquire skills, learner engagement, and retention of information about dental implant procedures. Methods: The evaluation was conducted with 30 participants with no previous dental training, focusing on critical competencies such as surgical guide placement, punch drilling through soft tissues, and the placement of healing abutments. NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) were utilized in measuring user experience, cognitive load, and usability in the system. Data was collected through survey questionnaires, which were later analyzed to determine the efficacy of the VR training module. Results: Results suggest that Toothy VR is an engaging and easy-to-use educational tool with a higher rating for different parameters of performance and knowledge retention, and thus has potential as an add-on resource for dental education programs. In addition, this study highlights the advantage of VR-augmented training, which reduces the need for, thereby improving skill accessibility and affordability. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of immersive simulations in improving procedural accuracy and increasing user confidence. Follow-up studies may further explore long-term skill retention when skills are learned through VR training.