Page 158 - FINAL COMPENDIUM 2020-2021 27.2.2022

USE OF VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) AS AN AUDIO-VISUAL DISTRACTION TOOL IN THE
REDUCTION OF DENTAL ANXIETY DURING LOCAL ANESTHESIA

Cheruvathoor JJ, Lim K, Mohamad Adib BMAH, Muhammad Azizuddin BS, Vinay M

Introduction: Dental anxiety is a relatively common problem and it leads to undesirable
distresses, such as postponement or avoidance of dental treatment thereby resulting in
poorer quality of treatment and reduced oral health related quality of life. Dental anxiety
is especially seen in patients undergoing dental injections. Objective: To evaluate the
effectiveness of audio-visual distraction in the reduction of dental anxiety during la
injection. Materials and methods: A total of 176 patients (88 female and 88 male)
requiring endodontic therapy or tooth extraction were recruited for this study. A 14-
question long questionnaire using Hamilton anxiety rating scale, and a separate feedback
questionnaire was used to evaluate patients’ anxiety level and the severity of anxiety
symptoms. Paired t-test was used to analyse the data. Results: There was a significant
reduction in the anxiety scores (p < 0.001) of the patients following the use of VR
distraction during LA procedure. On the average, the pre-test scores were 1.932 points
higher than post-test scores. Conclusion: Virtual reality could be used as a possible non-
pharmacologic means of reducing dental anxiety in patients receiving local anaesthesia.

Keywords: Audio-visual distraction, Dental anxiety, LA injection, Trypanophobia, Virtual reality

Published in Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, Page 102-108, 14 June 2021
DOI: 10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i31B31696

Dr Jalison Jacob Cheruvathoor
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
Penang International Dental College, Malaysia

Dr Lim Kaini
Puchong Batu 14 Dental Clinic
Selangor
Ministry of Health Malaysia

Dr Mohamad Adib bin Mohd Ali Hanafiah
Gual Ipoh Dental Clinic
Tanah Merah, Kelantan
Ministry of Health Malaysia

Dr Muhammad Azizuddin bin Sihabubdin
Dato Kumbar Dental Clinic
Kota Setar, Kedah
Ministry of Health Malaysia

Dr Vinay Marla
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics
Penang International Dental College

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