Evaluation of the effect of education of proper oral hygiene via virtual reality simulation on dental plaque in high school students

Background and Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of education of proper oral hygiene via virtual reality simulation on the dental plaque in high school students. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 90 high school students who were selected randomly and then divided into three groups. Group one was the first intervention group (VR) that was introduced to oral hygiene through virtual reality training in one session (n=30). Group two was the second intervention group (Verbal) that was introduced to oral hygiene through verbal training in one session (n=30). Group three was the control group that received no training (n=30). Plaque index (PI) was recorded both before and after the intervention (after one month) using Quigley–Hein plaque index. Data were collected and then analyzed in SPSS software (version 18) at a significance level of 0.05. Results: In the VR group, there was a statistically significant decrease in the mean values of PI (P<0.001) after the intervention (1.92±0.77) in comparison to the baseline (2.69±0.62). Moreover, in the verbal training group, there was a statistically significant decrease in the mean values of PI (P=0.014) after the intervention (2.16±0.95), compared to the baseline (2.45±0.91). This difference was significant in the virtual reality and oral education group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings, oral health education in general and virtual reality education, in particular, are effective in the removal of dental plaque and improvement of oral health.