Dental Patient Robot

Abstract

Presently, the simple head model (hereinafter referred to as phantom for practical training) with dentition models is used for dental therapy training. We suggested the patient robot for dental therapy training (hereinafter referred to as patient robot) as one of the practical applications of the humanoid robot technology, and we actually developed patient robots. One of them is the general model provided with 14 degrees of freedom (DOF) in addition to a tongue and lips that may interfere with treatment, allowing reflection of any change in simple expression. Also, active motions of the neck or hand allow various impediments so as to interfere with the actual potential treatment. The robot allowed trainees to do dental therapy training closer to the actual practice involving avoidance of these risks