The effect of virtual reality glasses application on dental anxiety in children who will have dental treatment for the first time

This study aims to examine the effects of virtual reality on dental anxiety in children aged 7-12. The research is designed with a randomized pre-test/post-test control group experimental design. The sample of the study consists of a total of 60 children, 35 girls and 25 boys, who applied to Mersin Oral and Dental Health Hospital for dental treatment for the first time. They were randomly divided into two groups of 30 individuals each. The control group received routine information without any intervention before the treatment. The experimental group, on the other hand, received an application of virtual reality glasses before the treatment. The data were collected by the researcher using a face-to-face interview technique and through the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale Facial Version (MCDAS-f) and Frankl Behavior Assessment Scale. The data were analyzed using the Dependent Samples t-test and Independent Samples t-test. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in pre-test anxiety scores between the groups (p=0.688). However, there was a statistically significant difference in post-test anxiety scores between the groups (p<0.001). In the experimental group, the mean post-test MCDAS-f score was 15.90, while it was 24.233 in the control group. There was no significant difference in the mean scores of the behavior assessment scale administered before the treatment between the groups (p=0.257). However, there was a significant difference in the mean post-test scores between the groups (p<0.001). In the experimental group, the mean post-test Frankl Behavior Assessment Scale score was 3.366, while it was 2.566 in the control group. According to the results, it was found that the application of virtual reality glasses before dental treatment significantly reduces anxiety levels in children.