The Digital, VR & Haptic Thinkers mission, which originated in Kuopio, Finland in 2023, has rapidly evolved into the world's largest multidisciplinary network dedicated to advancing dental education through digital, VR, and haptic technologies. The consortium, officially founded in Kuopio in early 2024 has experienced exponential growth in just a year and a half.
In recognition of this groundbreaking initiative, the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) will host the Thinkers group at ADEE 50th anniversary meeting to be held in Dublin on 20–22 August, 2025. A special dedicated session will be held on 20 August, chaired by the President of the Thinkers, Professor Barry Quinn from the University of Liverpool, and the Secretary General, Dr. Szabolcs Felszeghy from the University of Eastern Finland. This honor highlights the global impact of the consortium and the pioneering work of the UEF Thinkers.
Today, the Digital, VR & Haptic Thinkers network boasts 60 specialized hubs worldwide, including over 200 active members from world’s leading universities, as well as access to more than 20,000 students across participating institutions, with well over 1500 followers worldwide. Their mission to revolutionise dental training through innovative technologies continues to gain momentum, reshaping the future of dental education globally.
The goal of the Digital, VR & Haptic Thinkers’ session at the ADEE 50th anniversary meeting is to explore the effectiveness and potential of digital VR-haptic technologies in dental education. While traditional hands-on training remains valuable, integrating VR-haptics can address challenges such as student anxiety, accessibility to practice, and standardised skill assessment. Recent advances in haptic feedback mechanisms, AI-driven training modules, and VR software have improved the realism and functionality of these systems. The session will also assess the cost-effectiveness and implementation challenges of VR-haptic training and how it compares to conventional methods.
Ongoing research on the topic aims to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application by investigating how these technologies enhance motor skill acquisition, clinical decision-making, and student engagement. The findings can help educators, institutions, and developers optimise digital tools for dental training, ensuring they align with modern educational needs while maintaining the high standards required for clinical proficiency.
Additionally, the Thinkers’ mission is in alignment with the educational goals of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR). Dr. Felszeghy is the first Finnish representative to host IADR’s Ask me anything session on 12 May, and there will also be Thinkers’ programme at IADR General Session & Exhibition to be held in Barcelona on 25-28 June, 2025.
