Current applications and future perspective of virtual reality in dental education and practice in Saudi Arabia: A scoping review

Objective: This scoping review aimed to evaluate the current state of virtual reality (VR) implementation in dental education and practice in Saudi Arabia, highlighting its advantages and challenges. Methods: A scoping review examined VR’s role in regrading dental education and practice in Saudi Arabia by searching electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, from inception to July 2024. Studies including VR applications for education, skills development, or anxiety/pain management involving Saudi dental students and practitioners were included. Results: Eleven relevant studies were identified: 5 focused on education and 6 on clinical practice. Educational studies showed mixed effectiveness of VR versus traditional methods but positive student perceptions. Clinical application studies also had mixed results on VR’s impact on anxiety and pain, though some benefits were noted. VR systems included distraction-based, simulator-based, and hybrid VR/augmented reality with artificial intelligence. Conclusion: While the current implementation of VR in dental practice in Saudi Arabia shows promise, particularly in enhancing students’ engagement and reducing patients’ anxiety, more comprehensive and robust research is needed to validate its effectiveness fully. Strategic efforts should focus on expanding research, tailoring applications, and integrating VR with traditional methods to align with the healthcare objectives of Vision 2030.