A purpose-built simulation clinic at the University of Sydney is giving dentistry students the chance to build technical skill, clinical judgement and confidence through a hands-on learning experience before they treat real patients.
Inside the clinic, drills whirr and instruments clang as students practice procedures such as fillings and crowns using modern equipment, including special wand-like mouth cameras and digital radiography software. Two vending machines dispense plastic teeth - some with tiny cavities or decay, others designed for complex restorations and root canal therapies - which students insert into slack-jawed mannequin heads as practice before graduating to real-life treatment.
"Even for nerds like me, working on plastic teeth in a rubber human head catches you off guard," said third-year Doctor of Dental Medicine student Samer Rihani. "Everything is so detailed and realistic."
By week four of their first year, students are in the clinic with a drill in hand. "Theory is complex, so having visuals helps massively," said Samer. "Everything is taught side by side - design, anatomy and technique."
Peer-to-peer learning builds confidence and clinical reasoning
The technology mirrors the tools students will use in private practice. "The intraoral cameras are like a wand with magnification," said Samer. "They're great for spotting lesions or abnormalities. I use them all the time now, they've made me more cautious and thorough."
Students are taught to consider patient comfort, medical conditions and treatment planning from the outset. They also learn to work as part of a team, collaborating with dental assistants and other clinicians to deliver safe and effective care.
"Because the Doctor of Dental Medicine is a postgraduate degree, a lot of us have done something different before. You're surrounded by peers from all kinds of backgrounds - public health, engineering, music - and we all learn so much from each other," said Samer.
"Sometimes I'll look over and think, 'Wow, they're doing better than I am,' and we'll talk it through together. We all want to do well, and we help each other get there."
Students practice on plastic teeth inserted into rubber mannequin heads before graduating to real-life treatment. Fiona Wolf/University of Sydney
"Even for nerds like me, working on plastic teeth in a rubber human head catches you off guard. Everything is so detailed and realistic."
Samer Rihani
Doctor of Dental Medicine student, Faculty of Medicine and Health
Teaching innovations support student success
Clinic Manager Eve Wolstonecroft oversees the clinic's day-to-day operations, including ordering the right teeth for classes and stocking the vending machines accordingly. "Having a dedicated space makes a huge difference," she said. "We can run concurrent sessions, support multiple disciplines and give students access to the same tools they'll use in private practice."
The clinic supports more than 500 students across the postgraduate Doctor of Dental Medicine and undergraduate Bachelor of Oral Health programs. Teaching staff use cameras, microscopes, 3D models and scanners to tailor learning to different styles.
"The clinic feels like a real workstation - it's similar to my private practice," said Dr Tanya Wiendels, course convenor and Sydney Dental School alumna. "We can take photos, display them on screen and talk through treatment planning, cost and patient preferences. It's a mix of theory, real-world context and hands-on practice."
By paying attention to individual needs, teaching staff foster an inclusive learning environment, right down to a student's dexterity. "Left-handed setups are rare in dentistry," said teaching lead Dr Elvis Trinh, who is also a Sydney Dental School alumnus. "Being left-handed myself means I can mentor students who often struggle with equipment not designed for them."
The clinic supports more than 500 students across the postgraduate Doctor of Dental Medicine and undergraduate Bachelor of Oral Health programs. Fiona Wolf/University of Sydney
For Samer, dentistry is ultimately about people. Fiona Wolf/University of Sydney
Free dental care gives students real-world experience
From second year, students begin treating patients once a week at Sydney Dental Hospital and Westmead Hospital, providing free dental care under supervision.
"It's a privilege to help people who might not otherwise be able to afford treatment," said Samer. "It makes everything we learn in the simulation clinic feel real and meaningful."
He recalls finishing a smile makeover for a patient who had never liked his teeth. "He cried when he saw the result. I cried too. It was beautiful."
For Samer, dentistry is ultimately about people. "Next week, I'm giving a full denture to a patient who gives me updates on her cats whenever I treat her. I can't wait. These moments stick with you forever," he said.
Hero image: Fiona Wolf/University of Sydney
