Virtual Reality and Point-of-View Video Modeling for Dental Anxiety in Children

Dental anxiety is common among children and may make dental treatment more difficult. This study aims to compare three non-pharmacological behavior guidance techniques for reducing dental anxiety and improving cooperation during invasive fissure sealant treatment in children aged 6-10 years. Children who require an invasive fissure sealant on a mandibular first molar and meet the study eligibility criteria will be included. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group will watch a 1.5-2-minute Point-of-View (POV) video showing the dental examination and treatment process from a child's perspective before the dental procedure. The second group will use virtual reality (VR) glasses during the procedure and watch age-appropriate animation or cartoon content as an active distraction technique. The control group will receive the standard Tell-Show-Do behavior guidance technique. Dental anxiety, behavior, physiological responses, and pain will be assessed using the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS), Facial Image Scale (FIS), Frankl Behavior Rating Scale, pulse rate, oxygen saturation, and Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. A post-intervention satisfaction and experience questionnaire will also be administered to assess the children's experiences with the behavior guidance techniques. The study is expected to provide comparative evidence regarding the effectiveness of POV video modeling and VR distraction compared with the standard Tell-Show-Do technique in managing dental anxiety and improving children's cooperation during dental treatment.

Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 6-10 years. * Children without any systemic or psychiatric disorder or special needs. * Children who do not require emergency dental treatment. * Children whose parent(s) provide written and/or verbal informed consent for participation in the study. * Children who agree to participate in the assigned intervention, including watching the POV video or using virtual reality (VR) glasses, as applicable. Exclusion Criteria: * Children with a systemic or psychiatric disorder or special needs. * Children who require emergency dental treatment. * Children who refuse to use virtual reality (VR) glasses.