Digital behavior management in pediatric dentistry: a bibliometric analysis (2000–2025)

This study aimed to analyze global scientific trends in digital behavior management strategies in pediatric dentistry between 2000 and 2025. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection, including English-language articles and reviews published between 2000 and 2025. Performance indicators, collaboration networks, Bradford’s Law, Lotka’s Law, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic mapping were evaluated using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. A total of 150 publications were identified, with scientific output increasing markedly after 2018. Audiovisual distraction, anxiety, and pain emerged as central themes, while virtual reality was identified as a motor theme with high centrality and density. India, the United States, and Saudi Arabia were the most productive countries. Research output was concentrated in leading pediatric dentistry journals, and author productivity suggested a fragmented but growing field. Overall, digital behavior management research has expanded substantially, with immersive technologies such as virtual reality becoming increasingly prominent. Future multicenter collaborations and standardized outcome measures may facilitate clinical translation.