Virtual Reality Relaxation to Decrease Dental Anxiety

Virtual Reality Relaxation to Decrease Dental Anxiety in Primary Dental Care

The aim is to apply short-term virtual reality relaxation to examine if it is effective in reducing pre-operative dental anxiety in primary health care using an RCT.

Randomized controlled single-center trial with two parallel arms: Virtual Reality Relaxation (VRR) and Treatment As Usual (TAU) in a public oral health care unit. VRR group receiving a 1-3.5 minute 360° video immersing them in peaceful virtual landscape with audio features and sound supporting the relaxing experience. TAU groups remaining seated for 3 minutes in similar setting.

Inclusion Criteria:

• attending for dental treatment
• consenting
• able to complete Finnish questionnaire without assistance
• age 18 years or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• those not meeting inclusion criteria