Dental EducationVR-IANBNCT07653854
Virtual Reality Training for Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Dental Students
A study testing SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality Simulator and Conventional Training in people with Dental Education and Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block, run by Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality simulator-based training in teaching the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) technique to third-year dental students. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Dental Education, Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block
- What is being tested?
- SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality Simulator and Conventional Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 132 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 22 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Being a third-year student at our Faculty of Dentistry Willingness to participate in the study voluntarily
Who cannot join
- Having previously received local anesthesia training using a virtual reality simulator Unwillingness to participate in the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi
Konya, 42090
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Anesthesia Training Using a Virtual Reality Simulator in Dental Students: A Randomized Controlled Study
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality simulator-based training in teaching the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) technique to third-year dental students. Participants were randomly assigned to either a virtual reality simulator training group or a conventional training group. The outcomes evaluated include theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, procedural performance, self-confidence, and anxiety levels associated with IANB administration. The study aims to determine whether virtual reality simulation provides advantages over conventional educational methods in local anesthesia training.
Read the detailed description
Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is one of the most frequently performed local anesthesia techniques in dentistry and requires adequate theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, and psychomotor skills. Traditional educational methods may not provide sufficient opportunities for repeated practice without patient involvement.
Virtual reality (VR) simulators with haptic feedback have emerged as innovative educational tools that allow students to perform procedures in a safe and controlled environment. However, evidence regarding their effectiveness in IANB training remains limited.
This randomized controlled study evaluates the effectiveness of a VR simulator (SIMtoCARE) in teaching the IANB technique to third-year dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Necmettin Erbakan University. Participants were randomly assigned to either a VR-based training group or a conventional training group.
A total of three questionnaires were administered to the students. Based on the results of these questionnaires, several parameters, including theoretical knowledge, anatomical awareness, self-confidence, and anxiety levels, were evaluated.
The findings of this study may contribute to the development of evidence-based educational strategies and support the integration of VR simulation into the dental education curriculum.
- Conditions
- Dental Education, Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block
- Being tested
- SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality Simulator, Conventional Training
- Keywords
- Haptic Simulator, SIMtoCARE, Dental Education, Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block, Local Anesthesia, Dental Students, Simulation-Based Training, Randomized Controlled Trial
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality SimulatorOther
A haptic virtual reality simulator used for inferior alveolar nerve block training.
Conventional TrainingOther
Traditional theoretical and practical instruction for inferior alveolar nerve block administration.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Training Group | Experimental | Participants completed the first questionnaire after the theoretical training. They then received virtual reality simulator-based training using the SIMtoCARE system. Following this training, they completed the second questionnaire. After the virtual reality training, participants also received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire. Receives: Other: SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality Simulator; Other: Conventional Training |
| Conventional Training Group | Active comparator | Participants completed the first questionnaire after the theoretical training. They then received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire at the end of the training. Receives: Other: Conventional Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in inferior alveolar nerve block education questionnaire score
Difference in questionnaire scores assessing theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, self-confidence, and anxiety related to inferior alveolar nerve block administration between baseline and post-training assessments. The effect of virtual reality simulator-based training will be evaluated through changes in these scores.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after completion of training
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2025
- Primary completion22 May 2026
- Study completion22 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Dental EducationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to either a virtual reality simulator-based training group or a conventional training group. Both groups completed the baseline questionnaire. The intervention group received virtual reality simulator-based training using the SIMtoCARE system and completed an additional questionnaire. The intervention group then received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire. The control group received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire at the end of the training. Outcomes were compared between the two parallel groups.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 132 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kubilay Isik, Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07653854
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- NEU-OMFS-VR-IANB-2026
- Acronym
- VR-IANB
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers. The questionnaire data were collected anonymously and will be used only by the study investigators for research purposes.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Anesthesia Training Using a Virtual Reality Simulator in Dental Students: A Randomized Controlled Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07653854
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VR-IANB / NEU-OMFS-VR-IANB-2026
- Conditions
- Dental Education, Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block
- Keywords
- Haptic Simulator, SIMtoCARE, Dental Education, Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block, Local Anesthesia, Dental Students, Simulation-Based Training, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 132 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Konya Necmettin Erbakan ÜniversitesiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 22 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 22 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality simulator-based training in teaching the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) technique to third-year dental students. Participants were randomly assigned to either a virtual reality simulator training group or a conventional training group. The outcomes evaluated include theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, procedural performance, self-confidence, and anxiety levels associated with IANB administration. The study aims to determine whether virtual reality simulation provides advantages over conventional educational methods in local anesthesia training.
Detailed description
Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is one of the most frequently performed local anesthesia techniques in dentistry and requires adequate theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, and psychomotor skills. Traditional educational methods may not provide sufficient opportunities for repeated practice without patient involvement.
Virtual reality (VR) simulators with haptic feedback have emerged as innovative educational tools that allow students to perform procedures in a safe and controlled environment. However, evidence regarding their effectiveness in IANB training remains limited.
This randomized controlled study evaluates the effectiveness of a VR simulator (SIMtoCARE) in teaching the IANB technique to third-year dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Necmettin Erbakan University. Participants were randomly assigned to either a VR-based training group or a conventional training group.
A total of three questionnaires were administered to the students. Based on the results of these questionnaires, several parameters, including theoretical knowledge, anatomical awareness, self-confidence, and anxiety levels, were evaluated.
The findings of this study may contribute to the development of evidence-based educational strategies and support the integration of VR simulation into the dental education curriculum.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to either a virtual reality simulator-based training group or a conventional training group. Both groups completed the baseline questionnaire. The intervention group received virtual reality simulator-based training using the SIMtoCARE system and completed an additional questionnaire. The intervention group then received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire. The control group received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire at the end of the training. Outcomes were compared between the two parallel groups.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Training Group | Experimental | Other: SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality Simulator, Other: Conventional TrainingParticipants completed the first questionnaire after the theoretical training. They then received virtual reality simulator-based training using the SIMtoCARE system. Following this training, they completed the second questionnaire. After the virtual reality training, participants also received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire. |
| Conventional Training Group | Active comparator | Other: Conventional TrainingParticipants completed the first questionnaire after the theoretical training. They then received conventional training and completed the third questionnaire at the end of the training. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Being a third-year student at our Faculty of Dentistry Willingness to participate in the study voluntarily
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Having previously received local anesthesia training using a virtual reality simulator Unwillingness to participate in the study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality SimulatorA haptic virtual reality simulator used for inferior alveolar nerve block training. | Other | Virtual Reality Training Group |
| Conventional TrainingTraditional theoretical and practical instruction for inferior alveolar nerve block administration. | Other | Conventional Training Group, Virtual Reality Training Group |
Primary outcome
Change in inferior alveolar nerve block education questionnaire score
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of training
Difference in questionnaire scores assessing theoretical knowledge, anatomical understanding, self-confidence, and anxiety related to inferior alveolar nerve block administration between baseline and post-training assessments. The effect of virtual reality simulator-based training will be evaluated through changes in these scores.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers. The questionnaire data were collected anonymously and will be used only by the study investigators for research purposes.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing SIMtoCARE Virtual Reality Simulator and Conventional Training in people with Dental Education and Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block, run by Konya Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in inferior alveolar nerve block education questionnaire score (time frame: Baseline and immediately after completion of training). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Jun 2026.