Method: An Internet survey engine was used to gather data from dental schools regarding their curriculum, with particular interest in virtual reality haptic simulation. The survey consisted of 16 questions regarding background of dental students, curriculum design, phantom head simulation and haptic simulation.
Result: 31 dental schools completed the survey, (response rate 24%) showing a statistically significant increase in course length in North America compared to Asia(P=0.01), significantly less graduate students in Asia than North America and Australia/NZ(P=0.03) and a significant difference between Asia compared to North America and Australia/NZ regarding haptic use in the first year(P=0.04). Other trends were suggested a more traditional style of curriculum and caries teaching in North America, increased class sizes in North America and a general increased acceptance of virtual reality haptic simulation in Australia/NZ.
Conclusion: Results show international dental curricula are highly varied with more traditional teaching occurring in North America, although all other regions had at least one third of teaching being carried out purely by traditional means. For improved learning effectiveness, further progress needs to be made by implementing more integrated teaching methods as has been suggested in many published reports. Such publications also advocate the increased use of virtual reality simulation technology in dental schools, something seemingly well accepted by Australian/NZ dental schools but lacking in North American.