Anxiety Management in Dental Treatments through Virtual Reality

Abstract

The integration of Virtual Reality (VR) into dentistry represents a significant advancement in patient-centred care, particularly for addressing dental anxiety, a common obstacle to effective treatment. This article examines the effectiveness of VR in reducing anxiety during dental procedures, combining a survey of dental students at the Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara with an extensive literature review. The survey evaluated students' views on VR's effectiveness against traditional methods and their readiness to use VR in future treatments. Results show a strong belief in VR's potential to outperform traditional anxiety management techniques, with many students willing to adopt it. However, implementing VR in dentistry faces challenges such as technological, financial, and operational issues. This study emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to VR integration, suggesting future research on its long-term effects, cost-benefits, and personalized VR experiences. VR's advancement in dentistry promises improved care and aligns with digital health innovation trends.