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Journals / Journal of Kocaeli Health and Technology University / 2026 / Cilt: 3 Sayı: 2

Virtual Reality Technology as A Tool For Dental Anxiety Reduction in Children: A Mini Review

Çocuklarda Dental Anksiyetenin Azaltılmasında Sanal Gerçeklik Teknolojisinin Kullanımı: Mini Derleme

Hülya Çerçi Akçay(KOCAELİ SAĞLIK VE TEKNOLOJİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-3589-7511
Marieh Rajabzadeh(KOCAELİ SAĞLIK VE TEKNOLOJİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0001-1222-8710
Fateme Ghayem(KOCAELİ SAĞLIK VE TEKNOLOJİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0003-2006-1804
Pages
33–45
Publication Date
2025-08-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Further research is needed to optimize clinical guidelines, assess long-term outcomes, and explore the integration of VR with cognitive-behavioral strategies for sustainable use in pediatric dentistry.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Dental anxiety is a common behavioral concern in pediatric dentistry, often leading to avoidance of dental care and compromised oral health outcomes.
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Key Findings & Data:In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative non-pharmacological method to manage dental anxiety by diverting the child’s attention away from the dental environment.
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Conclusion & Impact:Further research is needed to optimize clinical guidelines, assess long-term outcomes, and explore the integration of VR with cognitive-behavioral strategies for sustainable use in pediatric dentistry.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Sanal gerçeklik · pedodonti · dental anksiyete

Abstract

Dental anxiety is a common behavioral concern in pediatric dentistry, often leading to avoidance of dental care and compromised oral health outcomes. In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative non-pharmacological method to manage dental anxiety by diverting the child’s attention away from the dental environment. This mini review presents a narrative synthesis of current literature exploring the clinical use of VR in pediatric dental settings. Evidence suggests that VR-based distraction techniques can effectively reduce anxiety levels, improve patient cooperation, and enhance physiological parameters during dental procedures, particularly in non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments. However, variability in patient response is noted, depending on individual characteristics such as age, baseline anxiety, and the nature of VR content. Additionally, issues related to cost, accessibility, and integration into standard behavioral protocols remain challenges to widespread implementation. Despite these limitations, VR stands out as a promising adjunct to traditional behavior management approaches. Further research is needed to optimize clinical guidelines, assess long-term outcomes, and explore the integration of VR with cognitive-behavioral strategies for sustainable use in pediatric dentistry.

Özet

Dental anksiyete, çocuk diş hekimliğinde sık karşılaşılan davranışsal bir sorundur ve çoğu zaman diş tedavisinden kaçınma ile sonuçlanarak ağız sağlığı üzerinde olumsuz etkiler yaratmaktadır. Son yıllarda, sanal gerçeklik (VR) teknolojisi, çocuk hastaların dikkatini klinik ortamdan uzaklaştırarak dental anksiyeteyi yönetmek için yenilikçi ve farmakolojik olmayan bir yöntem olarak öne çıkmıştır. Bu mini derleme, VR’nin çocuk diş hekimliğinde klinik kullanımına ilişkin güncel literatürü anlatımsal biçimde özetlemektedir. Bulgular, VR tabanlı dikkat dağıtma tekniklerinin anksiyeteyi azaltmada, hasta iş birliğini artırmada ve fizyolojik parametreleri iyileştirmede etkili olduğunu göstermektedir; özellikle invaziv olmayan veya minimal invaziv işlemler sırasında daha başarılı sonuçlar bildirilmiştir. Bununla birlikte, yaş, başlangıç anksiyete düzeyi ve VR içeriğinin niteliği gibi bireysel değişkenlere bağlı olarak hasta yanıtlarında farklılıklar gözlenmektedir. Ayrıca, maliyet, erişilebilirlik ve mevcut davranış yönetimi protokollerine entegrasyon gibi zorluklar, VR’nin yaygın kullanımını sınırlamaktadır. Bu sınırlamalara rağmen, VR teknolojisi geleneksel davranış yönetimi yaklaşımlarına değerli bir katkı sunmaktadır. Uzun dönem sonuçların değerlendirilmesi, klinik rehberlerin oluşturulması ve VR’nin bilişsel-davranışçı stratejilerle entegrasyonu gibi konularda daha fazla araştırmaya ihtiyaç vardır.

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Cite This Article

Akçay, H. Ç., Rajabzadeh, M., Ghayem, F. (2025). Virtual Reality Technology as A Tool For Dental Anxiety Reduction in Children: A Mini Review. Journal of Kocaeli Health and Technology University, Cilt: 3 Sayı: 2, 33–45. https://doi.org/10.66163/jokohtu.1745768

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