The Use of Second Life in Dentist-Patient Relationships

Introduction
A few years ago, my dentist of 35 years finally retired and I was forced to find a new one. Since then, and after visiting at least five dentists, I’ve finally settled on one I am comfortable with and am looking forward to building a long-lasting relationship. Looking back on my experiences searching for a new dentist, I remember how struck I was in the advances in the use of technology. All of the dentists were fairly new to the industry, in newer suburban areas, and focused on establishing and growing their practices. All were using electronic medical record systems and storing xrays in digital form. My current dentist also leverages the Internet extensively for activities, such as sending email appointment reminders, ordering prescriptions, soliciting patient surveys and posting newsletters on relevant topics. In the past weeks, as I’ve learned more about how the Information Age is changing the doctor-patient relationship, I decided to explore this topic as it relates to the field of dentistry a bit, particularly the industry’s potential use of Second Life.

As with other patient-provider relationships, Second Life and other virtual reality (VR) technologies can be integrated to enhance the dentist-patient relationship throughout the entire continuum of care, from pre-appointment planning and preparation to the actual visit and follow-up care.

Pre-Appointment Planning
There are many case studies of the successful use of VR technologies in the treatment of anxiety disorders. These technologies enable the patient to experience their fears in a non-threatening way, which hopefully can help them to eventually overcome the fear. Many people of all ages fear visiting the dentist and some actually develop serious anxiety problems. A person in this situation can visit a Second Life “virtual” dentist office and simulate the office visit. One can complete the check-in process, perhaps read an online magazine sitting in the waiting room, and then sit in a dentist chair while an avatar dentist or hygienist completes an examination or performs routine cleaning. Parents could also use the software as a learning aid with young children who fear their first trip to the dentist.

Online Consultations
In some cases, Second Life may be used to conduct online consultations with a “virtual” dentist. Patients may interact online with their dentist to augment an existing treatment plan, such as to obtain advice, describe symptoms to determine if an in-person visit is appropriate, request a prescription refill, etc. The tool can be a great mechanism for patients who have difficulty visiting a dentist in person, such as the elderly, the incarcerated, or the home-bound.

Treatment Plan and Therapy Selections
Second Life can be used by patients to better understand available treatment options for their specific condition. A patient can access Second Life to simulate the various options, so they can experience each in order to make a more informed decision. One can learn about the different medications available and experience side effects with each. Second Life could be a useful tool to help patients decide which treatment options may be best for them.

Second Life can be used to create “guided tours” or simulations of common procedures and unique oral conditions to provide consumers insight into their particular conditions. A patient could also be taken through a series of simulations to observe changes in their appearance after reconstructive or other oral surgery.

Others can experience a more complex procedure, such as a root canal or tooth extraction; although one might argue whether experiencing these types of procedures in a virtual reality setting would do more harm than good!

Adjunct Therapy During Treatment
One interesting idea I discovered in my research is the potential use of Second Life as adjunctive therapy to distract a patient during painful or unpleasant dental procedures. An interesting article appeared in the American Academy of Pain Medicine’s (http://www.painmed.org/) Pain Medicine Journal (Volume 3, Number S3, 2007) describing the potential use of virtual reality technologies as a potentially effective distraction medium. My dentist employs some distraction techniques already, by offering me videos to watch and magazines to read, although frankly, I find it difficult to watch TV or read while my dentist is hovering over me and constantly asking me to “open wide.” But these types of techniques might be useful for some patients and leveraging Second Life as a distraction technique might be worth exploring.

After Treatment Care Support
A Second Life dentist office can be visited by patients after surgery to chat with a “virtual” nurse interested in follow-up effects. Based on the patient’s feedback, the “virtual” nurse can provide advice to the patient or recommend an in-person visit. Much follow-up care instructions can be provided, as well as simulations of proper care, etc.

Group Therapy in Second Life
Another area Second Life can be used in dentistry is to create areas to conduct group sessions. The software is already extensively used to create environments where consumers with similar ailments or conditions can meet and participate in group therapy sessions. Dental patients can also leverage Second Life in this manner. For example, dental patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures can share their experiences with others in a non-threatening, group setting environment. Some patients who find it difficult to discuss personal issues with their dentists, may prefer sharing their thoughts and concerns with others experiencing their same condition, such as kids wearing braces, adults using dentures, patients with special or unique dental disorders, etc.

Second Life as an Educational Tool
Second Life can be leveraged extensively as an educational tool, especially for children. Children can learn healthy habits, the importance of proper care of their teeth and gums, using a mechanical toothbrush, flossing, etc. Group classes can be organized and taught to children in rural areas, whose families may not have access to local dentists.

Summary
As with other advanced technology tools, Second Life has the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of dental caregivers and empowering consumers to play an increased role in their dental well-being.