Virtual Reality Audiovisual Distraction During Pediatric Dental Treatment

Dental anxiety is common in children and may interfere with cooperation during dental treatment. Audiovisual distraction using virtual reality glasses may help redirect attention away from dental stimuli and improve the patient experience. This completed prospective non-randomized controlled clinical study evaluated the effect of virtual reality audiovisual distraction on anxiety-related variables in pediatric patients undergoing dental treatment at the Dental Clinic of Universidad Europea de Madrid. Participants received either standard dental care without audiovisual distraction or standard dental care while using virtual reality glasses during the procedure. Dental anxiety was assessed using the Modified Facial Image Scale. Heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation were recorded using pediatric pulse oximetry. Behavioral response was assessed using the FLACC scale. Measurements were taken before, during, and after dental treatment; in the virtual reality group, additional measurements were collected while the child was using the glasses and after the glasses were removed. This record was submitted after completion of participant enrollment and data collection for retrospective public registration.