To investigate the teaching effects of combined application of Simodont virtual simulation system and KaVo head-simulator in Cariology laboratory course.

During Cariology laboratory course, Simodent system and KaVo head-simulator were cooperatively applied among five-year BDS students of Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University. This laboratory course included the following steps: (1) Students were randomized into two groups, and each group had 28 students; (2) Students completed 'Cariology Knowledge Assessment Form’; (3) Students were guided to study'Cariology Clinical Skills Assessment Form’ and'Simodont system Operating Manual’; (4) The first group of students were trained by Simodont system and the second group of students were trained by KaVo head-simulator to prepared Class Ⅱ and Class Ⅴ caries cavities, and the relative scores were recorded; (5) Two group students exchanged the training systems to prepare Class Ⅱ and ClassⅤ caries cavities again, and the relative scores were recorded; (6) Students filled the 'Teaching Questionnaire’; (7) The data were collected and analyzed.

There was no significant difference of the scores between the two group students (P > 0.05) . After combined training of Simodont system and KaVo head-simulator, the students’ scores were obviously improved in preparing modified Class Ⅱ and Ⅴ caries cavities than those who only received single training system (P < 0.01) . Questionnaire results demonstrated that students highly appreciated the following viewpoints: 'Simodont system was security timesaver and repetitive practice. Combined application of Simodont system and KaVo head-simulator provided good effects on Cariology laboratory teaching.’

In Cariology laboratory courses, combined application of Simodont system and KaVo head-simulator was more effective than a single training system in the scores ofcavity preparation, and thereby was valuable to be adopted.