Educational Article

Designing numerical simulation via serious game in oral surgery: an observational study among third years dental students

¹ Department of Dentistry, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, APHP, Faculty of Dentistry, University Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
² Department of Dentistry, Rothschild Hospital, APHP, Faculty of Dentistry, University Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France

^* Correspondence: geraldine.lescaille@u-paris.fr

Received: 26 August 2024
Accepted: 4 November 2024

Abstract

Background: Serious games (SG) have emerged more than 40 years ago. Several studies have been conducted in the field of healthcare and remain scare in oral surgery. Objective: A formative SG dedicated to oral surgery was designed and implemented within the cursus of dental students enrolled in the University Paris Cité. The objective of the study was to observe the students' use of the SG during their courses and to assess the judgment of students for this innovative e-learning modality. Materials and methods: Participants were recruited from the Faculty of Dentistry, University Paris Cité, during the 2021–2022 academic year. Two oral surgery teachers designed the SG. Third year dental school students (n = 200) tested the oral surgery scenario. Working time required for the SG creation, the use of the SG and the judgement of students were analyzed in an observational study. Results: 165 students used the SG and 125 of them filled out the satisfaction questionnaire. Designing SG required more than 100 hours working time. SG was assessed as very useful (>90%) and interesting (81%). Discussion: SG appears to be a promising tool for technical skills learning, such as decision-making and procedural sequences (operating room checklist, surgical handwashing, imaging analysis). It also supports non-technical skills (patient history collection, risk management in oral surgery) by promoting active listening and communication with the patient.