European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-022-00733-7
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Metaverse in paediatric dentistry
S. Duman1   · D. Çelik Özen2 · Ş. B. Duman2
Received: 15 June 2022 / Accepted: 23 June 2022
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry 2022
Dear Editor,
The concept of metaverse, which is an advanced simulation
technology, has emerged with the developments in technol-
ogy and innovations in computer software and hardware.
Metaverse is a multi-user, interconnected set of social net-
works that combines physical reality and digital virtual envi-
ronment. In the metaverse, Virtual Reality (VR), Extended
Reality (XR), and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies
are gathered in one large network. This virtual universe can
be accessed through virtual reality devices, and the addi-
tion of real-world haptic technology can make it possible to
touch and feel in the virtual environment. Scientists and big
technology companies are working to create the perceptual
reality universe closest to the five sense organs such as sight,
touch, taste, hearing, and smell. This high technology is used
in various fields such as engineering, communication, arts,
games, and entertainment industry, finance, medicine, and
dentistry (Mystakidis 2022). It is predicted that medical
education, diagnosis and treatment, clinical research, con-
sultation, and even comprehensive healthcare can soon be
carried out on a metaverse platform consisting of AR and
VR glasses and a Medical Interned of Things (MIoT) system
(Yang et al. 2022). As the field of medicine, number of stud-
ies on virtual reality is increasing in dentistry as well. These
studies are mostly based on designing and testing different
simulation models that will facilitate clinical applications
and the transition from traditional model-based preclinical
applications to the clinic (Dixon et al 2021; De Boer et al.
2016; Steinberg et al. 2007). There are also few studies on
this subject in the field of paediatric dentistry (Zafar et al.
2021; Amantini et al. 2020; Alshatrat et al. 2021; Felemban
* S. Duman
sacidetuncduman@gmail.com
1 unpleasant dental experience for a child at an early age may
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry,
Inonu University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
2 advanced behavior guidance techniques can be used with
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty
of Dentistry, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
et al. 2021), but we think that it can be interesting and edu-
cational in areas such as oral hygiene, trauma, and dental
anxiety.
Oral hygiene education
With the development of motoric coordination, children
should be informed about oral diseases and their hygiene
habits should be regulated, and educational and motivational
methods play an important role in this regard. With the inno-
vations brought about by technology, it has become easier
to access educational videos from the internet. These vid-
eos can be more fun and memorable for kids. Through the
Metaverse technology, children can be physically involved in
the virtual world that is way more realistic than these videos
and can learn oral hygiene in this simulation environment.
Educational games suitable for certain ages can be designed
for children to develop all oral hygiene practices, such as
the educational game that Amantini et al. (2020) developed
with augmented reality techniques to encourage children to
brush their teeth. Until the mental and physical development
of children is complete, the maintenance of their oral health
is under the control of their parents. However, it is not pos-
sible to say that every parent has sufficient knowledge and
practice in terms of oral hygiene. To help parents to raise the
dental health awareness of their children and themselves in
a virtual reality environment, information meetings can be
held and higher participation can be achieved with ease of
transportation.
Dental anxiety
Anxiety caused by the fear of pain experienced during dental
treatment is mostly seen in childhood or adolescence. An
lead to a dental phobia that persists in adulthood. Simple and
children who have this anxiety in paediatric dentistry clinics
13
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(Alshatrat et al. 2021; Felemban et al. 2021). In the study of
Alshatrat et al. (2021) that examine the effectiveness of VR
on pain perception in dental procedures applied to children,
they found the use of VR to be an effective distraction tool
to alleviate pain and anxiety. Felemban et al. (2021) showed
children between the ages of 6 and 12 the selected pre-treat-
ment cartoons with a VR headset (LG 360 virtual reality
headset, LG Electronics). They concluded that distraction
of the simulation system can be effective during anesthesia,
but more studies should be conducted for other long-term
dental procedures. However, instead of distraction, it will be
more valuable for children to be able to experience the visit
to the dental clinic and dental treatment in advance using
metaverse technology and to be encouraged in this regard.
Thus, children’s fear of pain, which causes anxiety, can be
reduced by having a painless experience in this virtual uni-
verse first. Using virtual reality technology-based simulators
paediatric dentists can help children to have more fun and
anxiety-free visits.
Dental trauma
Dental trauma is a common health problem that often
affects children and adolescents. In these traumatic dental
injuries, which are common among children, it is crucial to
inform the patient about how long it takes to go to the dental
clinic and how to proceed until they do. The International
Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has created a
mobile application (ToothSOS, Official App of IADT) con-
taining trauma management algorithms for this purpose.
This application can be a useful resource for parents to be
informed (Khehra et al. 2021). Informative videos about
dental trauma are accessible on the internet. With a trauma
awareness simulation created on Metaverse platform, parents
and even children can receive information about emergency
interventions and institutions for dental trauma management
and dental traumas can be prevented even before they occur.
Metaverse applications are promising tools that have not
been used sufficiently in dentistry until today. However, more
initiatives should be taken and public campaigns should be
carried out to increase these practices. The implementation
of these practices in family, school, and social platforms will
support the protection of dental health.
13
European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry
Author contributions  SD and SBD: conceived the ideas; SD and DCO:
wrote and all authors reviewed the manuscript.
Funding  There is no funding to report for this manuscript.
Declarations 
Conflict of interest  The authors declare that they have no conflict of
interest.
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