Anxiety-free Public Dentistry for Adults with Disability: Protocol for a Head-Mounted Virtual Reality Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background: Oral disease remains a global public health concern, disproportionately affecting socioeconomically disadvantagedpopulations. Adults with disabilities or health conditions face additional barriers to dental care, including physical accessibility, communication challenges, and heightened anxiety. These factors contribute to care avoidance and poorer oral health outcomes. While virtual reality (VR) has shown promise in reducing procedural anxiety in pediatric and private dental settings, its application in adult public dentistry, particularly for people with disabilities, remains underexplored.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of SmileyScopeTM, a TGA-approved head-mounted VR headset, in reducing dental anxiety and enhancing care experiences for adults with disability health conditions in public dental clinics.

Methods: A mixed-methods convergent design will be implemented across community dental sites in Victoria, Australia. Fifty adult patients and up to ten dental staff will be recruited. Primary feasibility signals include recruitment rate (≥60% consent), completion rate (≥80% SUS completion), and usability threshold (mean SUS ≥68). The primary analysis will be descriptive with 95% confidence intervals reported. Quantitative data will be collected using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for willingness, the System Usability Scale (SUS), and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews will be thematically analysed. The study is co-designed with a disability advocate and integrates lived experience throughout all phases, including recruitment, evaluation, and dissemination.

Results: The project was funded in 2025, and ethics approval was granted by Peninsula Health HREC (Project ID 117565). Data collection was scheduled for October 2025 - March 2026 at the participating community dental sites. Primary feasibility estimates and qualitative themes are expected to be submitted for publication in mid-2026.

Conclusions: This protocol outlines a feasibility study that will inform scalable models for VR integration in public dental services. The findings will contribute to improved oral health equity and patient-centred care, advancing the evidence base for inclusive digital health innovation in dentistry.

Submission

JMIR

Citation

Dung T. Bui, Fiona McAlinden, Alice Urban, Charmine E. J. Hartel, Kristian Rotaru, Kadek Ananta Satriadi, Tanner Person,Wei Wang, Libby Callaway, 2026. Anxiety-free Public Dentistry for Adults with Disability: Protocol for a Head-Mounted Virtual Reality Feasibility Study. J Med Internet Res 2026.