NYU College of Dentistry has announced that it will use virtual reality (VR) to give students a new way to master anesthetic injections.
Traditionally, dental students practiced local anesthesia by injecting each other, a method that often causes anxiety. Now, students can use VR technology to practice multiple injections before giving them to real patients.
“It helps to solidify, refine, and refresh their skills,” said Dr. Marcy Levine, clinical associate professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery. “With VR, students can take it home and practice it over and over again, and get feedback.”
Students first encounter the VR system in their second year, when they learn about anesthesia in class and then have one-on-one instruction. In their third year, they borrow one of 60 VR headsets and practice at home before injecting patients.
Inspired by colleagues in other departments at NYU, Levine worked with the school’s IT team to redesign her oral surgery course. This included multimedia elements, role-playing exercises, and the development of a custom VR system that replicates the anatomy of the head and neck.
The system was built from scratch, with a virtual space modeled after the school’s clinics. Students use the program to set up equipment, interact with simulated patients and practice injections with real-time feedback.
“It’s about building competence and confidence,” Levine said.
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