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CC BY 4.0 · Eur J Dent 2024; 18(04): 1030-1039
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1782193
Original Article

Enhancing Pediatric Dental Care: The Influence of Virtual Reality

Sara Faisal Hamdy
1   Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismaillia, Egypt
,
Mohamed Sherif Mohamed Salah Farag
1   Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismaillia, Egypt
,
Yousra Samir Helmy
1   Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismaillia, Egypt
,
Asmaa Ali Abo-Elsoud
1   Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismaillia, Egypt
› Author Affiliations Funding This research was conducted at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt. The study was self-funded by S.F., covering all expenses for consumable materials and devices used in the research.
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

virtual reality - dental anesthesia - pain and anxiety

Ethical Approval Statement

Permission was secured from the Research Ethics Committee (REC), Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University (No. 144/2018), aligning fully with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (version 2008). Written informed consent was obtained from the legal guardians of each patient, signifying their approval for their children's participation in the study. The study procedures were thoroughly elucidated to both the patients and their parents.


Consent for Publication

The authors confirm that explicit written consent for the publication of images in [Fig. 2] in an online open-access journal was acquired from the legal guardian of the participant.


Data Availability Statement

The data supporting the outcomes of this study can be requested from the corresponding author S.F. However, the data are not publicly accessible, as privacy and ethical constraints are in place.


Authors' Contribution

S.F.H. undertook the research project, worked on developing the study idea, designing the research methodology, collecting data, conducting practical work with patients, performing statistical analysis, preparing the figures and its interpretation, and writing the manuscript of the original draft. A.A.A.-E. was involved in the supervision on data collection, on practical work, on statistical analysis, and on the interpretation of the data; observation on R-FLACC scale results; and critically drafting and reviewing the manuscript. M.S.M.S.F. contributed to the initial study idea, formatted the research methodology, and provided a critical review of the final manuscript. Y.H. was involved in the supervision of the project, processing of the experimental data, and providing a critical review of the final manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.




Publication History

Article published online:
14 May 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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