A year in dental simulation: a Q&A with Hannelie Edgar

This year, Hannelie Edgar has been working as Northern Ireland’s first Dental Simulation Fellow, a role funded by the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA).

In collaboration with NIMDTA and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), she has helped to develop and deliver innovative simulation training using virtual reality, haptics and artificial intelligence.

She has also led interprofessional simulation research projects, bringing together students from dentistry, pharmacy, occupational therapy and learning disability nursing to promote inclusive, person-centred care. 

What is the NIMDTA? 

NIMDTA is an arm’s length body sponsored by the Department of Health to recruit, train and support postgraduate medical and dental professionals in Northern Ireland. The Dental Team supports dental foundation, core and specialty trainees to enhance their skills and obtain additional competencies. The Continuing Education Team provides professional development courses for various dental care professionals including dental nurses, dental therapists, orthodontic therapists, technicians, hygienists and dentists. 

What attracted you to the role of Dental Simulation Fellow? 

Since qualifying from QUB in 2021, I have worked as a dental core trainee in various hospital departments in Northern Ireland. During this time, I developed a keen interest in dental education through the training and supervision of undergraduate dental students. This fellowship felt like the perfect opportunity to expand my skills and explore how simulation can enhance both undergraduate and postgraduate dental training. 

What does your work with NIMDTA involve? 

I help design and deliver courses in NIMDTA’s bespoke Simulation Suite, which opened in 2021. Equipped with ten virtual reality and haptic simulators, the Simulation Suite allows learners to practise a range of dental procedures safely and realistically without the risks or constraints of a live clinical setting. 

What is virtual reality and haptic technology? 

Virtual reality is technology that creates a realistic, 3D environment that can be interacted with and manipulated like the real world. The dental simulators create an interactive oral environment for users to complete procedures such as caries removal, root canal access cavities and crown preparations. Haptic feedback provides the user with pressure and touch sensation, allowing detection of force and the ability to distinguish between enamel, dentine, caries and pulp. 

Human factors simulation focuses on non-technical skills like communication, teamwork and decision-making”

Who can use the Simulation Suite? 

NIMDTA provides a range of courses incorporating the Simulation Suite throughout the year. It is used regularly by dental students from QUB and foundation dentists to develop their clinical skills. Continuing education courses delivered by expert restorative dentists and specialists offer qualified dentists the opportunity to use virtual reality to enhance their skills in endodontic and indirect restoration treatments. Drop-in clinical skills refresher sessions are also available for dentists returning to work following a career break or for internationally qualified dentists to maintain their skills while waiting for General Dental Council (GDC) registration. 

What is your favourite simulation course? 

NIMDTA runs a school leaver event three times a year for secondary school students considering studying dentistry. This gives them hands-on, practical experience of the skills required to be a dentist before even setting foot in a dental school. It also strengthens their application by showing a commitment to pursuing a career in dentistry at an early stage. The students’ enthusiasm makes the course both engaging and enjoyable to teach. 

What are you working on with QUB? 

I have worked on a range of research projects with the university aligned with the GDC’s new Safe Practitioner framework for dental students. This framework has increased emphasis on equality, diversity and inclusivity in dentistry, which can be difficult to teach through traditional methods such as lectures. As a result, I have worked closely with educators across multiple healthcare disciplines, including pharmacy, intellectual disabilities nursing and occupational therapy, to create interprofessional learning opportunities that use simulation to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity.  

Why is interprofessional working so important? 

Although the dental team itself is small, our patients see a wide range of healthcare providers throughout their lives – including pharmacists, occupational therapists, doctors and nurses. Dentists need to be aware of the role of other disciplines and how to work collaboratively to deliver the best care for each person. In recognition of the importance of interprofessional collaboration, QUB opened a state-of-the-art centre for interprofessional simulation in 2021, the KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre.

How can simulation promote inclusive care? 

Human factors simulation focuses on non-technical skills like communication, teamwork and decision-making. One of our simulations explored age-related physical changes and how this impacts an individual’s ability to access and receive care. Students wore ageing suits with restricted joint movement, weighted vests to mimic physical fatigue, visual impairment glasses and sound-reducing headphones. They then had to collect their prescription from the simulated pharmacy and sort out their tablets for the next day. This simulation really opened their eyes to the barriers older adults can face and empowered them to implement reasonable adjustments to promote inclusive care. 

Have you worked with artificial intelligence (AI)? 

Yes, at QUB we have developed and piloted an AI-generated virtual patient that students can interact with to practise their communication and history-taking skills. This has been a great addition to traditional communication skills training with actors, offering students more opportunities to practise without placing the same demands on staff and resources. 

What was the highlight of your year as Dental Simulation Fellow? 

It has been a fantastic year and I am incredibly grateful to my project supervisors in NIMDTA and QUB for their support. The highlight was presenting my work at the Society for Simulation in Europe Conference in Valencia in June. This was a brilliant opportunity to put Northern Ireland on the map for excellence in simulation-based dental training. 

Any final thoughts? 

This year has highlighted how simulation in dentistry is becoming a dynamic tool for transforming healthcare education. By integrating virtual reality, haptics, AI and interprofessional learning, we are preparing future dental professionals not only to treat patients, but to communicate effectively, think critically and provide care that is inclusive and person-centred. Dental simulation is evolving beyond plastic teeth and manikins; it is shaping a new, more collaborative future for dental training. 

For more information, get in touch via dentalcourses.nimdta@hscni.net or by visiting the NIMDTA website.

Tags: Belfast, Hannelie, NIMDTA, Queen's University, Simulation, training