Towards a Comprehensive Classification of Dentist-Centered Needs in the Metaverse

The integration of the metaverse into dentistry heralds a new era of innovation, revolutionizing the way dental professionals approach education, research, patient care, and collaboration. While the application of metaverse technologies in medical domains is gaining traction, there exists a notable gap in research specifying a comprehensive classification of dentists’ needs within this virtual space. This paper presents an understanding the requirements and preferences of dental professionals as they navigate the metaverse. The classification is described as dentist-centered and phase-based, where dentists’ needs are classified according to their metaverse navigation phase. The work is validated by a dentist and digital health technology expert. The outcomes of this research will contribute to the establishment of a structured framework that classifies dentists’ needs in the metaverse, offering valuable information for dentists, developers, educators, and policymakers.