Virtual Reality Games for Reducing Anxiety and Pain in Children's Dental Visits

This study focuses on helping children aged 6-10 years manage anxiety and pain during their first dental visits. The aim is to compare two methods: a virtual reality (VR) game and a traditional technique called "tell-show-do" (TSD). Some children experience fear during dental visits due to unfamiliar settings, fear of pain, or negative perceptions of dental treatments. This research explores if using a VR game can make dental visits less stressful and more positive by distracting children from discomfort and encouraging cooperation. Improving children's experiences at the dentist can have long-term benefits for their oral health and self-confidence. Participants in this study are randomly divided into two groups. One group uses VR glasses to play an interactive game designed to make the dental process engaging and less intimidating. This game guides them through the treatment process using fun, story-based elements. The other group uses the TSD method, where the dentist explains and demonstrates the dental procedures in a simple, child-friendly manner before performing them. Both groups undergo dental treatments on specific teeth, while their anxiety and pain levels are assessed through various scales and physiological measurements like heart rate. The study hopes to show that the VR game approach reduces anxiety and pain more effectively than the traditional method.