Virtual reality a research focus in paediatric dentistry

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 27. July 2026

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BAŞISKELE, Turkey: While traditional behaviour guidance techniques continue to play an essential role in managing anxiety and uncooperative behaviour in paediatric dentistry, digital technologies are increasingly being investigated in this regard. A recent bibliometric analysis of global research over the past 25 years reveals how research into innovations such as virtual reality (VR), audio-visual distraction and mobile technologies for behaviour management has developed—and VR has emerged as a prominent and well-developed area of investigation.

The bibliometric review mapped the global evolution of research on digital behaviour management in paediatric dentistry by examining publication patterns, keywords and collaboration networks. This type of analysis shows how a field of research has developed and where attention is being directed. The analysis demonstrated a marked increase in publications during the last decade. The authors attributed this finding to growing interest in non-pharmacological strategies intended to improve children’s dental experiences, reduce anxiety and enhance cooperation.

Among all digital interventions, VR emerged as a major research focus. Clinical evidence suggests that immersive VR distraction generally reduces procedural anxiety and perceived pain during dental treatment, including for restorative procedures and local anaesthesia. A 2023 systematic review of 22 randomised controlled trials concluded that VR is effective in reducing anxiety and pain and improving children’s overall treatment experience, although further high-quality studies are still needed to standardise its clinical use. The bibliometric review found that audio-visual distraction remains an established area of research, but that recent research has increasingly focused on the greater immersion provided by VR systems.

The analysis also indicated that research remains focused largely on immediate, procedure-related outcomes, particularly anxiety and pain, whereas longer-term oral health and behavioural outcomes have received less attention. The authors suggested that addressing these areas could strengthen the clinical relevance of future research.

International collaboration was evident but remained concentrated among a limited number of countries and established research groups. The collaboration network was centred on India, the US and Saudi Arabia, and there was some participation from European and other Asian countries, although intercontinental links remained limited. Because cultural context, technological infrastructure and content design may affect the effectiveness and acceptability of digital interventions, the authors argued that multicentre and cross-cultural collaboration could improve generalisability and help develop more widely applicable protocols.

For clinicians, the growing body of research suggests that digital behaviour management is transitioning from an emerging concept to a useful adjunct to conventional behavioural guidance. Although cost, equipment availability and staff training remain barriers to widespread implementation, commercially available VR systems are becoming more affordable and easier to integrate into routine practice.

Importantly, the review also highlights gaps in the current evidence. Considerable variation exists in outcome measures and reporting of intervention characteristics. Greater standardisation in these areas would support more reliable comparisons and facilitate the translation of research into clinical practice.

Overall, the bibliometric analysis shows that digital behaviour management—particularly VR—has become an increasingly prominent area of paediatric dental research. Together with the emerging clinical evidence, the findings suggest that VR is poised to become a valuable component of contemporary paediatric dental care.

The study, titled “Digital behavior management in pediatric dentistry: A bibliometric analysis (2000–2025)”, was published online on 20 July 2026 in the Saudi Dental Journal.