Virtual reality reduces anxiety and improves behaviour in children during dental treatments compared to control groups

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Frontiers in Medicine Published June 5, 2026 Medically reviewed June 5, 2026 Study authors: Rand Ra'ed-Naser, Marcela Arenas-González, María Biedma-Perea, María José Barra-Soto, Carolina Calez… DOI ↗ By Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain

Key Takeaway

Consider using VR to reduce anxiety and improve behaviour in children during dental treatments.

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) as a distraction technique for children under 17 years old undergoing dental procedures. The analysis focuses on outcomes measured in dental clinic settings where VR was compared against control groups. The review synthesizes findings from multiple studies to assess the impact on patient anxiety and cooperation.

The primary outcomes assessed included the reduction of anxiety and improvement in behaviour. Results indicate that anxiety was significantly improved after the use of VR before treatment. Behaviour was also found to be improved in VR groups compared to control groups. Secondary outcomes such as fear and cooperation were also evaluated, with audiovisual distraction with VR identified as the most effective technique for reduction of these negative states.

Specific effect sizes, absolute numbers, and p-values were not reported in the source data. Safety data regarding adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability were not reported. The authors conclude that VR is an effective technique for managing behaviour and reducing anxiety in paediatric patients during dental treatments, often outperforming conventional techniques. The review does not provide specific numerical data to quantify the magnitude of these benefits beyond qualitative descriptions of improvement.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Behaviour management techniques converge on the fundamental aim of facilitating the child´s adaptation by promoting familiarity and gradual desensitisation, thereby reducing stress levels and enhancing cooperation during dental procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the use of virtual reality (VR) as a behavioural management technique to reduce anxiety in paediatric patients during dental treatments. A research strategy was conducted including articles that have been published in the past 5 years using MeSH Terms in five different databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, EMBASE, and Web of Science). The studies included in the review involved children under 17 years old who used virtual reality to control their anxiety in the dental clinic. The use of VR in paediatric dentistry improved behaviour in children with higher positive responses in VR groups, vs. control groups. The Frankl scale showed significant improvements after the use of VR before treatment. Furthermore, audiovisual distraction with VR was the most effective technique for reducing fear and anxiety in uncooperative children. Virtual reality is an effective technique for managing behaviour and reducing anxiety in paediatric patients during dental treatments, often outperforming conventional techniques. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251015748, PORSPERO CRD420251015748.