Comparison of Effectiveness of Virtual Reality and Clown Dentists as Anxiety Management Tools among 3-13-year-old Children for Dental Procedures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

Background: The procedural pain in dentistry has undesirable effect on child's psychology and future dental visits; therefore, means to decrease these is absolutely essential.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness and comparison of virtual reality (VR) and clown dentists as anxiety management tools.

Design: This prospective three-arm randomized controlled trial included children aged 3-13 years. They were divided randomly into three groups, a control group (group I) in whom no anxiety management was given and two test groups in whom intervention by VR (group II) or clown dentists/hospital clown (group III) was imparted. Heart rate and anxiety scores were measured by Chota Bheem-Chutki (CBC) pain scale before and after procedure.

Results: Data was analyzed for 159 children. The mean anxiety pretreatment in group I was 2.09, in group II it was 3.03, and in group III it was 3.15. Posttreatment, the anxiety level spiked in group I to 3.20, whereas it dipped in group II and III, the mean level being 1.81 and 1.84, respectively, the difference being statistically significant.

Conclusion: The anxiety and hemodynamic parameter were lower in both intervention groups (VR and dental clown) than those of the control group.

How to cite this article: Prakash S, Sheoran N, Saraf BG, et al. Comparison of Effectiveness of Virtual Reality and Clown Dentists as Anxiety Management Tools among 3-13-year-old Children for Dental Procedures: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(1):105-113.