Abstract: Objective: To study the effects of a virtual simulation training system on the performance of crown preparation by residents with different clinical experiences in a general dentistry training program, and investigate the residents’ feedbacks and suggestions for future improvement of the simulation system. Methods: A total of 22 residents from the General Dentistry Department in Peking University School of Stomatology were enrolled in the study. A before-and-after comparison design was used to assess the effects of the simulation system on porcelain fused to metal crow preparations of an incisor. Performance scores of the crown preparations were compared between the experienced and inexperienced groups, and before and after the simulation training in both groups. A questionnaire was used by the participants to provide feedbacks and suggestions. Results: Before the simulation training, there was a significant difference between the two groups in crown preparation scores (46.60±13.28 for the inexperienced group, 65.53±4.80 for the experienced group, P=0.000). After the training, the difference in crown preparation scores between the two groups were greatly reduced and such difference was no longer statistically significant (72.94±1.96 for the inexperienced group, 75.10±6.01 for the experienced group, P=0.437). Residents generally believed that this virtual simulation training system improved clinical performance. However, the accuracy of the simulation system needed to be improved. Conclusions: The virtual simulation training system can improve the level of crown preparation by residents. We propose that the simulation system will be used routinely in general dentistry residency training programs.

Key words: virtual simulation, residents, tooth preparation, stomatology, education