Wei Wang

Research Fellow

“We feel and know that we are eternal”

Baruch Spinoza

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Anxiety-free Public Dentistry for Adults with Disability: A Virtual Reality Feasibility Study

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Investigators

  • Trung Dung Bui, Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University
  • Libby Callaway, Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University
  • Charmine Hartel, Associate Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University
  • Kadek Satriadi, Lecturer, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University
  • Tanner Person, Research Fellow, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University
  • Wei Wang, Research Fellow, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University
  • Alice Urban, BAppSci, Director of Integrated Care and Dental, Peninsula Health
  • Fiona McAlinden, MBM, Project Manager, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University
  • Jonathan Bredin, Jonathan Bredin Inc., West Melbourne
Need Design People Impact
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Funding details

Monash Business School Interdisciplinary Research (IDR) SEED Fund

  • AU$25000
Funding amount AU$25000
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Project Summary

This project tests whether VR can make dental visits less stressful for adults with disability.

Dental care can be difficult when a person feels anxious, has sensory needs, or finds the clinic environment overwhelming.

The team will test SmileyScope™, a low-cost VR headset that has already been used in hospitals to reduce pain and anxiety.

This study will see whether SmileyScope™ can also work in routine public dental care for adults.

  • Use VR during dental care.
  • Look at anxiety, comfort, and ease of use.
  • Work with dental services and a disability advocate.
  • Build evidence for more inclusive dental care.
Dental care VR headset Less stress Study
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Key Aims

Test ease of use and whether people are willing to use it of VR-assisted dental care for diverse adult populations, including people with disabilities.

  • Assess dental staff readiness and experiences.
  • Identify obstacles and enablers for use in practice (e.g., cost, efficiency, user experience).
  • Analyse cost-effectiveness and treatment impacts.
  • Propose sustainable models for integrating VR in public dental services. This will be the first study of its kind in inclusive dental care, informing service design and improving patient experience. It will also strengthen the case for future MRFF and other Category 1 funding.
Need Design People Impact
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Status

Current research status

👤 Investigators

  • Trung Dung Bui, Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University
  • Libby Callaway, Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University
  • Charmine Hartel, Associate Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University
  • Kadek Satriadi, Lecturer, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University
  • Tanner Person, Research Fellow, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University
  • Wei Wang, Research Fellow, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University
  • Alice Urban, BAppSci, Director of Integrated Care and Dental, Peninsula Health
  • Fiona McAlinden, MBM, Project Manager, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University
  • Jonathan Bredin, Jonathan Bredin Inc., West Melbourne

💲 Funding details

  • Monash Business School Interdisciplinary Research (IDR) SEED Fund
  • AU$25000

🎓 Project Summary

This project brings together Monash faculties (Medicine, Business, IT), Peninsula Health Dental Services, a disability advocate, and partners at the Healthy Future Hub. It aligns with MATS priorities by exploring an under-researched area: the use of VR in dental care. The study will pilot SmileyScope™, a low-cost, TGA-approved VR headset, in adult dental settings. While SmileyScope™ has been used in hospitals to reduce anxiety and pain, it has not yet been tested in routine dentistry.

🎯 Key Aims

  • Evaluate usability and acceptability of VR-assisted dental care for diverse adult populations, including people with disabilities.
  • Assess dental staff readiness and experiences.
  • Identify barriers and enablers for implementation (e.g., cost, efficiency, user experience).
  • Analyse cost-effectiveness and treatment impacts.
  • Propose sustainable models for integrating VR in public dental services.

This will be the first study of its kind in inclusive dental care, informing service design and improving patient experience. It will also strengthen the case for future MRFF and other Category 1 funding.

📌 Status