Comparative evaluation of pain and dental anxiety with the use of virtual reality distraction and conventional behaviour management in children

This trial is a randomised controlled, double blinded,parallel group trial evaluating pain perception, pulse rate, oxygen saturation,salivary pH as a measure of dental anxiety. Written informed consent fromparents /caretakers would be taken. Children of 6 to 10 years of age would berecruited from the patients visiting the Department of Pediatric and PreventiveDentistry of Dental college in Bangalore where ethical clearance has beenobtained. Pulse rate and oxygen saturation are assessed using a pulse oximeterat three intervals, preoperatively, intraoperative and postoperatively.Salivary pH will be assessed from the patient’s saliva sample collected at twointervals, preoperatively and postoperatively, by a digital pH meter. Thechildren will be randomly allocated into two groups, VR group, who will receiverestorative treatment while being subjected to VR videos on the eyeglasses andthe other group will receive restorative treatment while distracted by means ofcommunication. The primary outcome would be reduced dental anxiety andsecondary outcome would be increased coping towards dental treatment.