Technology has continuously made people’s lives easier over the years. And with the recent wave of virtual reality, there are several new applications for this technology. This includes easing the fear and anxiety that often comes with going to the dentist or flying.
Despite dentistry being considered one the 10 most trusted and ethical professions, going to the dentist isn’t always a treat. While there are few people who enjoy going to the dentist, there are tons of people who have such crippling fear of the dentist that they refuse to go. This can be detrimental to their oral health, and their overall health as well. Fortunately, virtual reality can help ease the fear some patients experience at the dentist.
According to dentist Bryan Laskin, giving patients a VR headset while their teeth are being worked on can have a sedative effect on them. Laskin is the founder of Operability, which is the startup that created the OperaVR headset used in his dental office. This headset can ease the anxiety patients may feel and even help them avoid the social awkwardness of having the dentist right in front of their face.
Laskin explained, “Once we have a headset on the patient, and they’re relaxed, it’s a better experience for everybody.”
VR headsets can let patients escape to another place, where they watch videos of animals or another type of distraction. And while Laskin’s office is only one of 100 offices using VR technology, it’s sure to become more popular as the headsets become more affordable.
And just like going to the dentist, there are tons of people who are afraid of flying too. Flights, especially long ones, can induce feelings of anxiety and even boredom. This is why more airlines are investing in VR headsets to loan to their passengers. While there are some airlines with televisions for passengers to use, a virtual reality headset helps the user block out their surroundings, which is particularly helpful for those afraid to fly.
Currently, some airlines are choosing to loan first-class and business-class passengers a SkyLights VR headset, which is comfortable and lightweight. So if flyers don’t have a headset of their own, they can pay for a seat that comes with one for them to use. This is a great option for longer flights, like the ones to the 597 square miles of Oahu in Hawaii.
Virtual reality adoption has been limited, mainly due to the high costs. But with the many benefits VR headsets can offer, especially for those looking to escape a situation that causes anxiety, VR is expected to make a big impact over the next few years.
