Research Article

A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education

Volume: 29 Number: 3 September 30, 2026
TR EN

A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the integration of virtual reality (VR)-based haptic simulation into a competency-based preclinical restorative dentistry curriculum using a constructive alignment framework. Materials and Methods: This observational educational study included 28 second-year dental students enrolled in a preclinical restorative dentistry course during the 2024–2025 academic year. VR-supported haptic simulation activities were integrated into cavity preparation training. Simulator-generated objective metrics, including accuracy, outside volume, target progress, surgery time, and drilling time, were analyzed together with rubric-based practical scores, theoretical examination scores, and year-end grades. Blueprint analysis and Bloom’s revised taxonomy were used to evaluate alignment between learning outcomes and assessment methods. Spearman correlation and exploratory ROC analyses were performed. Results: Blueprint analysis demonstrated broad alignment between intended learning outcomes, VR-supported teaching activities, and assessment methods. Bloom’s revised taxonomy analysis showed that the examination included multiple cognitive domains, predominantly understanding and analysis. Constructive alignment analysis indicated consistency among learning outcomes, VR-supported simulation activities, and rubric-based assessments. No statistically significant correlations were observed between VR simulator-generated metrics and educational outcome measures (p > 0.05). Exploratory ROC analysis demonstrated limited discriminative ability of VR accuracy scores for identifying higher practical performers (AUC = 0.58). Conclusions: VR-supported haptic simulation can be integrated into competency-based preclinical restorative dentistry education within a constructive alignment framework. Although simulator-generated metrics were not significantly associated with educational outcomes, VR-supported simulation demonstrated educational applicability as part of a structured performance-based assessment model.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Scientific Research Ethics Committee of Lokman Hekim University ((Decision No: 2026/048) and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

References

  1. 1. Zain E, Talreja N, Hesarghatta Ramamurthy P, Muzaffar D, Rehman K, Khan AA, et al. Assessment of quality improvement of simulation-based learning using an evidence-based framework in dental education. Eur J Dent Educ 2024;28(1):358-369.
  2. 2. Rees JS, Jenkins SM, James T, Dummer PM, Bryant S, Hayes SJ, et al. An initial evaluation of virtual reality simulation in teaching pre-clinical operative dentistry in a UK setting. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2007;15(2):89-92.
  3. 3. Nassar HM, Tekian A. Computer simulation and virtual reality in undergraduate operative and restorative dental education: a critical review. J Dent Educ 2020;84(7):812-829.
  4. 4. Quinn F, Keogh P, McDonald A, Hussey D. A study comparing the effectiveness of conventional training and virtual reality simulation in the skills acquisition of junior dental students. Eur J Dent Educ 2003;7(4):164-169.
  5. 5. Jasinevicius TR, Landers M, Nelson S, Urbankova A. An evaluation of two dental simulation systems: virtual reality versus contemporary non-computer-assisted. J Dent Educ 2004;68(11):1151-1162.
  6. 6. Pottle J. Virtual reality and the transformation of medical education. Future Healthc J 2019;6(3):181-185.
  7. 7. Urbankova A. Impact of computerized dental simulation training on preclinical operative dentistry examination scores. J Dent Educ 2010;74(4):402-409.
  8. 8. Rodrigues P, Esteves A, Botelho J, Machado V, Zagalo C, Zorzal ER, et al. Usability, acceptance, and educational usefulness study of a new haptic operative dentistry virtual reality simulator. Comput Methods Programs Biomed 2022;221:106831.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Restorative Dentistry, Dentistry (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2026

Submission Date

June 2, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 29 Number: 3

APA
Yazıcı Akbıyık, S., & Coşkun, S. (2026). A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal, 29(3), 497-505. https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1962197
AMA
1.Yazıcı Akbıyık S, Coşkun S. A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education. Cumhuriyet Dent J. 2026;29(3):497-505. doi:10.7126/cumudj.1962197
Chicago
Yazıcı Akbıyık, Sema, and Sinem Coşkun. 2026. “A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education”. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29 (3): 497-505. https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1962197.
EndNote
Yazıcı Akbıyık S, Coşkun S (September 1, 2026) A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29 3 497–505.
IEEE
[1]S. Yazıcı Akbıyık and S. Coşkun, “A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education”, Cumhuriyet Dent J, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 497–505, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.7126/cumudj.1962197.
ISNAD
Yazıcı Akbıyık, Sema - Coşkun, Sinem. “A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education”. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29/3 (September 1, 2026): 497-505. https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1962197.
JAMA
1.Yazıcı Akbıyık S, Coşkun S. A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education. Cumhuriyet Dent J. 2026;29:497–505.
MLA
Yazıcı Akbıyık, Sema, and Sinem Coşkun. “A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education”. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal, vol. 29, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 497-05, doi:10.7126/cumudj.1962197.
Vancouver
1.Sema Yazıcı Akbıyık, Sinem Coşkun. A Constructive Alignment-Based Evaluation of Virtual Reality Haptic Simulation and Performance-Based Assessment in Preclinical Restorative Dentistry Education. Cumhuriyet Dent J. 2026 Sep. 1;29(3):497-505. doi:10.7126/cumudj.1962197

Cumhuriyet Dental Journal (Cumhuriyet Dent J, CDJ) is the official publication of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Dentistry. CDJ is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancement of dentistry. The aim of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists and academicians all over the world to promote, share, and discuss various new issues and developments in different areas of dentistry. First issue of the Journal of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Dentistry was published in 1998. In 2010, journal's name was changed as Cumhuriyet Dental Journal. Journal’s publication language is English.


CDJ accepts articles in English. Submitting a paper to CDJ is free of charges. In addition, CDJ has not have article processing charges.

Frequency: Four times a year (March, June, September, and December)

IMPORTANT NOTICE

All users of Cumhuriyet Dental Journal should visit to their user's home page through the "https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/user" " or "https://dergipark.org.tr/en/user" links to update their incomplete information shown in blue or yellow warnings and update their e-mail addresses and information to the DergiPark system. Otherwise, the e-mails from the journal will not be seen or fall into the SPAM folder. Please fill in all missing part in the relevant field.

Please visit journal's AUTHOR GUIDELINE to see revised policy and submission rules to be held since 2020.