The effect of virtual reality distraction on pain perception of children aged 7-9 years during anesthesia procedure with the jet injector in dental treatment

Abstract

Background: The success of dental treatment in children is strongly influenced by their cooperative level, so it is necessary to create dental care with minimal pain and a pleasant impression. Pain control in dental treatment is carried out by administering anesthesia but giving anesthesia by injection of a syringe causes pain and needle phobia. Thus, the use of jet injectors and virtual reality distractions can reduce children's pain perception during anesthesia procedures. Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of virtual reality distraction on pain perception in children aged 7-9 years during anesthesia procedures with jet injectors in dental treatment. Methods: This study used a quasi-experimental method with a posttest-only non-equivalent group design. A sample of 30 children with extraction indications was divided into two groups. Group A was treated with virtual reality distraction during the anesthetic procedure with a jet injector, while group B was not treated with virtual reality distraction during the anesthetic procedure with a jet injector. In both groups, pain perception was measured after the anesthetic procedure, utilizing the Wong-Baker faces pain rating scale (WBFPRS). Before the research, calibration, or operator perception equations regarding the use of jet injectors were carried out. Results: There was a difference in pain perception (p<0.005) between group A (x̅ =3.17) and group B (x̅ =5.87). Therefore, virtual reality distraction affected the pain perception of children aged 7-9 years during anesthesia procedures with jet injectors in dental treatment.