We're united as one big, global family!
ONLY good Dental Education matters!
Together, we share a strong dedication to advancing the #Digital VR, Haptic-enhanced #dental #education worldwide!
The true "owners" of the VR&Haptic Thinkers are its members and followers.
Members
Followers
“Tough times don’t last. Tough teams do.” - Robert Schuller
The founding members, are Dental Educator and Scientist from all around the world.
The youngest members of our global network:
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Debrecen (UD)
We're rocking dental education across the globe. Will you be the next to join?
"Virtual reality haptic dental training is a fantastic methodology for students to learn by experience and at their own pace in a safe environment. At UEV (Universidad Europea de Valencia) in Spain, we have started the field work of the VR-HAPTIC Thinkers cross-border cutting-edge educational research with great pleasure." Professor Maria Florencia Sittoni Pino
The Finnish name for May Day, “Vappu”, originates from Catholic St. Walpurgis, whose commemoration day was celebrated on the 1st of May. The first May Day festivities in Finland started in upper-class families in the 1700’s Nowadays, the political climate is very different and the most visible group of celebrants are the students. Vappu symbols the end of the school year and graduation but, most importantly, it’s a massive celebration! When you hit the streets during Vappu in Finland, it will be impossible to miss the groups of loud and happy students wearing colorful overalls full of different patches, drinks in their hands, and a white graduate student's cap on their heads. Here in the Middle of (K)nowhere, Kuopio, it's now time to hustle so we can celebrate big on May 1st! Work hard, relax harder. Let's crush our VR-haptic goals!
The greatest of all pleasures is the pleasure of learning, especially from the greatest minds.
WITH HAPTICS-REINFORCED VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED MANUAL DEXTERITY MODULES
Call us a group, call us a network, call us VR-Haptic Thinkers!
– Masako Nagasawa
Call us a group, call us a network, call us VR-Haptic Thinkers!
– Masako Nagasawa
Through life-like haptics-reinforced virtual reality-based simulations and outstanding hand-piece tools, the latest VR-haptic devices empower oral health care educators and transform education. Among all of the industries developing VR-haptic solutions, oral healthcare might be the one with the most sweeping effects these days.
VR-haptics represent a necessary shift in oral health education, complementing traditional simulation learning methods with standardized, immersive, and interactive experiences. By incorporating VR-haptic technology, students become active participants in their education, engaging in lifelike simulations that enhance their learning experience in a relaxed VR-haptic scenario.
Dentist / Educator / VR-Haptics Lover
Introducing one of our newest members - Professor Damiano Pasqualini, from the University of Turin (unito)! We now have 32 VR-haptic niches from all corners of the world.
A short video to show you our VR-haptic life at the University of Turin Dental School, Turin, Italy.
At the High Point University (HPU), Workman School of Dental Medicine, where the high-fidelity VR-haptic SIMtoCARE machines and low-fidelity phantom head training brings together research and teaching expertise in Dental Sciences.
Let's stand strong together!🌟
Together, we surpass technology for a shared purpose. Our mission unites us beyond the devices we hold.
Even with different VR-haptic tools, we share a common goal: to innovate and create a better future together!
Welcome Dr. Pantea, Faculty of Dentistry, at "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania!
Diving into the depths of knowledge and discovery, VR-haptics-reinforced dental education fuels our minds and propels us forward in the pursuit of truth.
Experience reality like never before in the immersive VR-haptic world. Embrace the future and leave doubts behind.
Students have a wide range of capacities, and there are many ways to train them in a smart way. VR-haptic trainers are one of the supportive options.
Students deserve to be heard and valued. Their voices are powerful and demand attention. Are you listening? It is time to amplify student voices and take action to create meaningful VR-haptic changes in education. Let's listen and act now.
Are you a real fighter that is not afraid of any obstacle? Are you ready to tear down that wall and reach your goals? Well, then you are one of our kind and we suggest you becoming our VR-Haptic Thinkers` member.
Dive into a haptic reinforced virtual realty world where learning and education meets innovation and tangible experiences redefine training norms. #Simulation #Stimulation #HapticTech
Workman School of Dental Medicine, High Point University is committed to delivering the highest quality training to undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and staff.
Together towards a better world – this is our vision and the purpose of our operations in our VR-Haptic Simulation laboratory at School of Dentistry, Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University, Peru.
The simulation laboratory is maintaining confidentiality during any VR-haptic interactions.
Feedback/debriefing in action and micro debriefing, as well as efficiency in the process
In addition to evaluating each simulation session to improve it in new versions, under the principle: “the only thing stable is change”.
Empowering student and educator voices brings positive change in VR-Haptic reinforced traditional preclinical and clinical training environments.
In a world where technology is constantly evolving, staying ahead in dental education is crucial. Our diverse range of VR-Haptic devices may be different, but the mission of the VR-Haptic Thinkers is united: to enhance training, boost confidence, and ultimately improve patient care.
We are all set to immerse ourselves in the invigorating symphony of creativity and inspiration! The winds of change are sweeping through traditional dental education and research, propelled by the innovative power of VR-Haptic technology and the bright, young minds of today’s educators.
We witnessed the powerful synergy of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration during our VR-Haptic sessions, which were filled with an enthusiastic audience.
September, 2024
Leuven, Belgium
The integration of VR-haptic technology in preclinical and clinical endodontic training significantly boosts immersion by enriching physical interactions. Additionally, the real-time performance analysis accelerates students' learning curves, enabling them to master skills more efficiently according to Prof. Damiano Pasqualini, Dental School, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Dean Ali Shazib and Associate Dean Sompop Bencharit from an extraordinary dental school designed to elevate education & research with professionals are committed to providing their best.
WORKMAN SCHOOL OF DENTAL MEDICINE
High Point University, High Point, NC, USA
The Premier Life Skills University
www.highpoint.edu/dental-medicine/
At the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Debrecen, Hungary we are igniting a revolution in dental education through the power of creativity and innovation. In 2024, we proudly became the first in Hungary to embrace oral heath education with VR-Haptic Dental Trainers, stepping boldly into a new era of immersive learning. As one of the youngest members of the VR-Haptic Thinkers Consortium, we are thrilled to be part of this vibrant community, sharing knowledge and forging connections with like-minded professionals.
The room was packed with so many Thinkers, it looked like a convention for overactive brains! We were having brainstorming session that could probably power Leuven—if only they could figure out how to harness all that wild idea energy without short-circuiting!
And then when you exercise in VR-Haptic scenario you will discover a the same reality and a same world with the same rules like in the real dental chair!
VR-Haptis is like Music.....
Relax and have your best rest.
Motivating Student Engagement and Readiness for Clinical Years
Hear the Vision of Our Young Ambassador, Dr. Reinhard Chau from the HKU, Faculty of Dentistry!
Finally, who we are? Who is the team behind the VR-Haptic Thinkers´ mask? Alright, we are working at Faculty of Dentistry, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong. We are also friends spending great time together, we are the mans who is loved not because of our VR and Haptic Mission but because of who we are. But the time has come, our friends, and today we are taking off the mask!
The VR and Haptic Team
Faculty of Dentistry, Hong Kong University
Elevating Recognition by lecturing!
A global study has been initiated to evaluate a drilling plate that mimics various hardness levels of dental tissues, designed for use with phantom head mimikin at the pre-clinical phase.
Haptic reinforced virtual reality together with traditional training methodologies are powerful tools for supporting newcomers, helping to improve their understandings, enhance manual skills, and promote student well-being.
VR-Haptic Thinkers for Exceptional Oral Health!
VR-Haptic Thinkers, World Cavity-Free Future Day
Valencia, Spain
VR-Haptic Thinkers, World Cavity-Free Future Day
Valencia, Spain
World Cavity-Free Future Day 2024 – October 14th Brushing with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective methods for preventing cavities and tooth decay. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized fluoride toothpaste as an essential medicine. However, many children and adults either do not brush their teeth regularly or face challenges in doing so.
On October 14th, the VR-Haptic Thinkers Prof. Natalia Blanch Martinez (left) and dr. Anabel Gramatges Rojas (right) at the Universidad Europea de Valencia decided to sprinkle some fun into healthy habits!
So, get ready to level up your dental game and maintain those healthy habits—after all, a cavity-free future for everyone!
Our very own Dr. Amirul Faiz Bin Luai, at UiTM, Malaysia, the Young Ambassador with a flair for dental wizardry, has snagged the shiny Diamond Award!
On 19th of October, 2025 in Sendai, Japan, our very own Executive, Samantha Bryne shared also our mission and concept. Ass. Prof. Bryne was welcome to the Campus Asia Plus in Dentistry (CA+inD) International Symposium 2024 & 2024 Scientific Annual Meeting of Association for Dental Education, Asia Pacific (ADEAP). This prestigious event will be held on October 19 and 20, 2024, at the Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry in Sendai.
At VR and Haptic Thinkers, dental training transcends mere haptic-reinforced virtual reality. We're forging a powerful alliance of evidence-based research, education to revolutionize the dental education and
With over 100 VR and Haptic Thinkers, we're rocking education and research across the globe.
Listening to your inner voice and embracing innovation are key themes that resonate with Professor Amitha Ranauta Deputy Dean, Institute of Dentistry philosophy.
As the Chief Communication Officer of the VR-Haptic Thinkers Global Consortium, my mission is to foster a dynamic network that connects educators, researchers, and industry leaders in the field of dental education. We aim to empower our community by enhancing knowledge and acceptance of haptic-reinforced virtual reality technologies within dental curricula. Through strategic outreach and collaboration, we will facilitate the sharing of best practices and innovative ideas that drive the integration of VR-haptic methodologies in dental training.
Finally, who am I? Who is the man behind the mask? Alright, I am Sila Nur Usta. I am a proud Dentist who writes, Tweets, INSTAS and speaks in public. I am the one who is loved not because of her face but because of who she is. But the time has come, my friends, and today I am taking off this mask!
dr. Sıla Nur Usta
Chief Communication Officer
"One of the coolest features is the remote, confidential, real-time connection between instructors and students!" Edgar Quenta Silva, Lima, Peru
Dentist / Educator / Our CCO
I float into space when I i listen music and I talk to the stars when I sing.
– Sila Nur Usta
I float into space when I i listen music and I talk to the stars when I sing.
– Sila Nur Usta
She possesses the voice of angels and communicate in a pure tone. Her students are flawless when she plays Mozart for them in the VR-Haptic scenario. She is Sila Nur Usta and she is the CCO of VR&Haptic Thinkers.
She decided to spice up the dental learning scene at aka Ankara, Turkey, when she added a little musical flair to all drilling and filling. And boy, did they hit the right note!
https://jag.journalagent.com/tej/pdfs/TEJ_9_2_96_102.pdf
lies in their ability to create immersive, multi-sensory experiences that engage our bodies and minds in unique ways:
Physical Engagement: Both engaging our motor skills.
Sensory Feedback are stimulated
Both activities allow users to improve their skills.
Both experiences can be tailored to different skill levels.
Cognitive Stimulation
ASK ANYTHING MORE FROM DR. MIHAELA PANTEA
Can haptic tech predict real-world dental skills? Let's find out! 🤔💡
#DentalResearch #HapticTechnology #ProstheticDentistry
The young lions @VR_H_Thinkers in Vietnam on the 16th #Asia Academy of Preventive #Dentistry ! Big thanks for spreading our mission.
REAL WORD ACTION is also needed!
Digital generation Z faces challenges with handwriting skills due to excessive use of smartphones and computers, which we all know that hinders the development of proper manual skills during early years, course anxiety very often.
Haptic reinforced Virtual Reality based technology is not the only one, but a merely a tool for preclinical, clinical, or postgraduate training—it's a "Dr. X" for our dental field.
This cutting-edge technology serves as a comprehensive skills trainer, an ergonomic coach, and even a psychotherapeutic aid. To maximize its effectiveness, VR and haptic feedback should be combined with real-world actions for optimal results, for shaping the surgeons for tomorrow!
Dr. Sobia Zafar has been honoured with the Australian Dental Association Qld (ADAQ) Distinguished Service Award.
This prestigious recognition is awarded to members who have provided distinguished service to the Association or the dental profession over an extended period. The award was presented by ADAQ President Dr Kelly Hennessy during the ADAQ Clinic Day on 23rd November 2024.
Our very own Sobia with her Award
on the left
The Angels at Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Professor Walter Lam is from Prosthodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong (HKU). He received his dental and prosthodontic training in Hong Kong and holds Fellowships from several Dental Colleges. Professor Walter Lam has made significant contributions to digital dentistry through his research, innovations, and leadership in the field.
Finally, who is he? Who is the man behind the mask? He is from on the east side of the mouth of the Pearl River estuary. Not just our very own Thinker, but a testament to resilience.He is forged by waves and words, a digital Thinker whose worth transcends mere appearance. His identity is not only defined by external judgments, but also by the passion that courses through his veins- an Thinker`s spirit, an educator's soul, a voice unafraid to speak its truth.
Professor María Paz Rodríguez Hopp is a prominent Chilean dental professional and academic. She serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Health and Dentistry at Universidad Diego Portale. dditionally, she holds a position as a spokesperson for OFEDO (Organización de Facultades, Escuelas y Departamentos de Odontología), which suggests her involvement in broader dental education initiatives beyond her university role.
Empathy levels among dentistry students Educational environment in dental schools
Professor Cox has focused on the development and application of haptic technology—a tactile feedback technology—in dental education and other healthcare disciplines since 2006 in KCL. Her notable projects include the hapTEL project, which aimed to enhance healthcare training through haptic devices.
Profesor Quinn is our President Elect, a National Teaching Fellow (2023), King James IV Professor from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (2021) and adea Secretary General.
Prof. Bencharit Sompop on #SIDC2025
FDI Riyadh.
Gather the most creative ideas on your mind and start to create your stories and give them life.
So, keep your eyes peeled for a gentleman who looks like he stepped out of a James Bond movie, if James Bond were a dental innovator.
If you spot a bow tie floating gracefully through the conference halls, congratulations!
You've 99.99% found our Vice-President, the CADCAMKING, Professor Bencharit!
Just remember, approach with caution - his charm is as sharp as his dental picks!
Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a tale of sartorial splendor and dental innovation!
Professor Sompop Bencharit, our esteemed Vice President of Innovation, known in the digital dentistry realm as "THE CADCAMKING," moonlights as the Associate Dean of Innovation at the Workman School of Dental Medicine, High Point University, North Carolina15. This dapper gentleman isn't just breaking new ground in dental education; he's doing it with unparalleled panache!
Our bow-tied hero recently graced the FDI Riyadh event with his presence, leaving a trail of dazzled dentists and envious neck wear (BOWTIE) in his wake. But fear not, UK dental enthusiasts!
This paragon of periodontal poise will soon grace our shores at the upcoming annual meeting, co-hosted by the Royal Society of Medicine Odontology section.
Welcome El Arrouf Nisrine!