The Board of Regents today approved the purchase of new simulation lab equipment and dental chairs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry for $2.5 million.
This will enhance our clinical and pre-clinical education, said College of Dentistry Dean John W. Reinhardt, D.D.S. Our students already are skilled, but, with the simulation equipment, they will be that much more advanced before they see their first patient.
The College of Dentistry is planning to convert one of its patient treatment clinics into a dual-function patient and simulation clinic. Private funding has been obtained to provide the 47-chair clinic with dental simulation heads and computer monitors for electronic instruction. Renovations will take place this summer or next summer.
Simulation clinics are becoming common in dental education, Dr. Reinhardt said, as they provide students with life-like treatment experiences prior to their first live patient experience.
Many of the countrys top dental schools have simulation clinics, he said, including the University of Iowa, University of North Carolina, University of Washington and University of Texas.
In addition, simulation clinics are used for hands-on continuing dental education courses for practicing dentists, he said.
The simulated patient head, comprised of plastic teeth and soft cheeks, would fit into the dental chair, similar to that of a live patient. Depending on the model, students could hone a variety of skills including restoring crowns, filling cavities, removing tartar, and mimicking extractions.
Although the College of Dentistry has crude forms of simulation equipment, this will take it to a higher level, Dr. Reinhardt said.