What can VR do for you? 

The obvious use is to distract patients during painful procedures. A variety of programs exist that can take your patients to relaxing, intriguing scenes, letting them wander exotic cities or bask in the seashore while you take care of their dental needs. This means less sedation and less anxiety both during and after dental treatment. Many dentists are incorporating VR into their practices, making procedures easier for both their patients and themselves. VR could be the advantage that delivers more patients to your practice. It can also be the deciding factor for patients who—after securing financing—are more likely to plunge into drastic but necessary dental treatment.

VR can also be used to show patients exactly what dental treatments entail, letting them see what will happen.

But VR goes beyond the chair. Universities around the world are using VR simulators in dental training. Not only does VR let dental students truly experience the procedures they are studying, it allows instructors to monitor their techniques and progress. VR can also be used to update the skills of practicing dentists, letting them both observe and participate in dynamic new procedures.

As VR technology continues to advance, more and more people will come to expect the option when seeking dental treatment. More and more professional associations will incorporate VR into their upgrading and dental training programs. You may not feel the need to invest in VR technology today, but you do need to stay informed. The time will come when you won’t have a choice.