How Immersify’s Simulation-Based Learning Transformed UCLA Dental Students Into Trusted Prescribers

“Historically, in our program we’ve found that students on a 14-point skills assessment scored very low with the preceptor ratings on prescribing oral medications. After five years of data showing that they scored low on that item, we decided to implement Immersify for our students.” 

• Kyle Tupaz, Fund Manager at UCLA School of Dentistry 

The Challenge: Addressing Below-Average Student Confidence and Preceptor Scores for a Key Clinical Skill 

Since 2019, UCLA’s School of Dentistry has assessed students in its Community-Based Clinical Education Program across competencies ranging from self-evaluation to the analysis of medical histories. As the program’s name suggests, these skills are often highly practical: they’re all about applying theoretical knowledge to real-life scenarios. 

For dental students and educators, these practical components can make study and preparation challenging. That’s especially true of prescribing oral medications, which demands a complex mix of pharmacological knowledge (including a precise understanding of various medications and dosages) alongside all the on-the-fly decision-making abilities required of a clinical setting. 

So, when UCLA discovered a dip in prescription-related grades, it decided to investigate gamified, app-based learning to supplement its curriculum and boost those scores. 

That’s when Immersify stepped in. 

The Solution: Simulation-Based Training Software Bringing Oral Prescription Training to Life 

Recognizing the multidimensional challenges involved in exercising this skill, UCLA’s School of Dentistry asked fourth-year students to complete an Immersify module on oral medication and prescribing before undertaking their clinical rotations.  

This in-depth selection of learning content covered the topic across 47 lessons and 25 multiple-choice quizzes. Crucially, the module also placed a key emphasis on digital simulations. These involved: 

• Presenting students with an AI patient to interact with 

• Prompting students to listen to AI patients’ information 

• Allowing students to decide on, and deliver, the correct prescription 

This approach allowed participating learners to replicate scenarios they were likely to encounter while on rotation. But, just as importantly, Immersify’s simulations also gave UCLA’s cohort the opportunity to fail safely. Each student was given the power to learn from their mistakes without any real-world repercussions: a significant benefit for a clinical skill that historically involved lower-than-average self-assessment scores when compared to similar competencies. 

MORE ON IMMERSIFY’S PARTNERSHIPS | ‘Immersify Education and Septodont form a global collaboration’ 

The Results: Strengthened Scores and Real-World Readiness 

To evaluate Immersify’s impact, UCLA academics ran this pilot as a study published in the Journal of Dental Education: one that was careful to compare Immersify students’ outcomes against historical scores produced at the same time of year. The results? Students who used Immersify to sharpen their prescription skills shone in two key areas. 

Firstly (and most excitingly!), the Immersify cohort received higher preceptor scores than their non-Immersify predecessors. This statistically significant rise of around 8% clearly points to Immersify’s ability to improve student grades in those all-important areas where theory and practice collide. And, as the study points out, this was made all the more impressive given the short intervention period and the significant challenges students typically face around prescribing oral medications. 

Secondly, the UCLA School of Dentistry saw a 54% increase in the number of students who were trusted to prescribe to a patient in a real-world clinic. This isn’t just a win in its own right. For these students, Immersify-backed learning was a gateway to further valuable experience, which they could undertake with all the confidence that comes hand-in-hand with a simulation-led approach. 

GET THE FULL STORY ON UCLA’S STUDY | ‘Enhancing Dental Education with Immersify: A Case Study from UCLA on Improving Student Clinical Performance 

Ready To Sink Your Teeth Into Immersify’s Dental Training Simulations? 

Get in touch with our team of dental education specialists today. 

About the UCLA School of Dentistry 

Founded in 1964, the UCLA School of Dentistry is a nationally recognized leader in dental education, research, and patient care. As part of the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles, the school is known for its rigorous academic programs, forward-thinking clinical skills training, and dedication to improving oral health both locally and globally. With a strong emphasis on preparing students for real-world clinical decision-making, UCLA embraces innovative approaches to dental education—including the integration of digital tools like Immersify’s interactive training and simulation software for dental students.