Virtual Reality Glasses Integrated With Sign Language on Dental Anxiety Among Children With Hearing Impairment During Pulpotomy Procedure

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Glasses Integrated With Sign Language on Dental Anxiety Among Children With Hearing Impairment During Pulpotomy Procedure (Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial)

To evaluate the impact of using virtual reality glasses using sign language as a distraction method to reduce the dental anxiety in moderate to severe hearing-impaired children compared to the conventional behavior management technique during pulpotomy treatment.

The study will be a randomized controlled parallel two arms clinical trial, a total of 40 healthy children aged 5-7 years with moderate to severe hearing disability, will be selected from Pediatric Dentistry and dental public health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Egypt. Children selected should have at least one primary molar indicated for pulpotomy. The eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the study group, which will use virtual reality glasses with sign language as a distraction method to manage children's behavior, and the control group, which will use the conventional behavior management strategies including show-tell-do, and positive reinforcement. Local anesthesia will be given and pulpotomy procedure will be done on the selected tooth followed by stainless steel crown restoration. Pre and post-operative assessment of child's dental anxiety will be done using three methods: physiologically using pulse oximeter for measuring the heart rate, objectively using Venham clinical anxiety rating scale, and subjectively using the modified facial image scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children with Frankl behavior rating score 2 or 3.
• Children requiring pulpotomy in one of their primary molars.
• Parents who accepted to give their consent and participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with any medical condition other than hearing disability (ASA II, III & IV).
• Syndromic children with hearing impairment.
• Children with previous bad dental experience.