NEW YORK: In a move to improve dental education and reduce anxiety, NYU College of Dentistry has introduced virtual reality (VR) as a training tool to help students master local anesthesia injections without the pressure of practicing on peers.
Traditionally, second-year dental students at NYU practiced giving injections by administering them to one another—an approach that often triggered stress and performance anxiety. Now, through the use of VR technology, students can practice anesthesia techniques repeatedly in a risk-free environment before transitioning to real patients.
“It helps to reaffirm, refine, and refresh their skills,” said Dr. Marci Levine, clinical associate professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery. “With VR available on demand, students can take it home and practice repeatedly with feedback.”
How NYU’s dental VR system works
- Students are first introduced to the custom-built VR system during their second year in a one-on-one guided session, after completing classroom training on anesthesia.
- In their third year, they borrow VR headsets—part of a fleet of 60 units—and continue practicing at home.
- The VR program includes a realistic simulation of the anatomy of the head and neck, along with fully modeled clinical environments based on NYU’s actual dental clinics.
- It allows students to set up injection trays, interact with virtual patients, and simulate real-world injections with immediate, data-driven feedback.
The initiative is part of a broader curriculum redesign led by Dr. Levine, who collaborated with NYU’s IT and instructional design teams. Inspired by similar projects in other NYU schools, she integrated role-playing exercises, multimedia tools, and custom simulation software to enhance student learning outcomes.
“It’s about building both competence and confidence,” Levine emphasized.
Why this innovation matters
- Reduces student anxiety by removing the stress of practicing on peers
- Enhances procedural accuracy and patient safety
- Provides on-demand, repeatable learning experiences
- Aligns with the growing trend of VR in dental and medical education
The use of virtual reality in dental training is gaining momentum globally, and NYU’s model may soon inspire similar programs in other institutions. It also reflects a shift in health education toward technologically supported, student-centered learning.
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