Use of clinical simulators and development of professional skills in dental students: systematic review

Abstract

With the advancement of new technologies and teaching methods, dental schools face significant challenges in reorganizing their educational processes. This requires the incorporation of pedagogical systems that enhance the intellectual abilities of students, allowing them to respond effectively to the demands of society. The objective of this review was to analyze the impact of the use of clinical simulators on the development of professional skills in dental students. A systematic review was carried out using the Scielo, Lilacs and Redalyc databases. The search focused on studies related to the variables: simulators, learning, skills, students and dentistry. From the analysis of the content of the selected articles, three main themes were identified: the importance of the use of dental simulators, the development of skills in simulated environments, and the types of clinical simulators used in the training of dental students. The use of simulators in dental training is essential to improve clinical practice safely. These devices allow students to fine-tune their motor skills and develop a high level of confidence, which is crucial for performing procedures on real patients in their future professional practice