Enhancing Pediatric Dental Care: The Influence of Virtual Reality.

Objective:  The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of virtual reality (VR) in reducing pain and anxiety levels in children. The study also compared active and passive distraction methods using VR during the delivery of inferior alveolar nerve blocks (IANBs) in dental procedures in children.

Material and methods:  The study comprised 45 preschool patients, aged between 4 and 6 years, with no prior dental anesthetic experience. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups based on the sort of management style: Group A used the tell-show-do technique, Group B engaged in passive distraction by watching cartoons using a VR headset, and Group C participated in active distraction by playing games using a controller with the VR headset. Pain and anxiety were evaluated using physiological measurements, namely by analyzing the variations in blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation before and after the administration of IANB. Psychological assessments were conducted using the Wong-Baker faces scale, Modified Dental Anxiety scale questionnaires, and Revised Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability scale after administering IANB.

Results:  The physiological outcomes revealed no statistically significant differences in blood pressure and oxygen saturation. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the heart rate in group A compared with groups B and C. In terms of psychological measurements, groups B and C exhibited a significant improvement in pain experience and a decrease in anxiety.

Conclusion:  This study concluded that VR reduced pain and anxiety levels in its passive and active forms.