The effect of virtual reality in dentistry: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol outlines an investigation into the effects of Virtual Reality (VR) in dentistry. As a growing technological tool, VR offers immersive environments for patient education, anxiety and pain management, and professional skill enhancement in dental practice. Despite its growing use, empirical evidence on VR's efficacy remains fragmented and inconclusive. This review aims to consolidate current research, providing a comprehensive assessment of VR's impact across all health outcomes in dental care. Adhering to the PRISMA-P guidelines, the study will include English-language, two-arm randomized controlled trials, comparing VR interventions with non-VR controls. The review will consider all dental patients, regardless of demographics, and will encompass various dental treatment settings. A search strategy employing two databases including PubMed and the Cochrane Library will identify relevant studies, followed by a systematic screening and data extraction process conducted by independent reviewers. The review will conduct a risk of bias assessment and employ a random effects meta-analysis for evidence synthesis. A subgroup analysis and meta-regression will explore factors affecting VR's effectiveness. Publication bias will be assessed using Trim and Fill, Begg and Egger methods, and the GRADE tool will evaluate the quality of evidence. The review anticipates offering insights into the role of VR in enhancing patient-centered care. By synthesizing scattered evidence, it aims to identify specific health outcomes significantly impacted by VR applications. The findings are expected to guide future research and clinical practices, enhancing patient care in dentistry.