A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.
Abstract
Gagging may be an expression of dental anxiety in those who are reluctant to admit to dental fear.
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Akarslan ZZ, Yildirim Biçer AZ. J Oral Rehabil 2013; 40: 932–939
However, other authors are cited who report there was 'no correlation between state-trait anxiety (anxiety about an event, for example gagging) and dental anxiety...or between anxiety severity and gagging.' In this study, in those who had received either fixed or removable prostheses and also had a gag reflex, the investigators found higher dental anxiety but no difference in attendance patterns. In addition, there were increased self-reported TMD symptoms. This study was carried out with 505 patients who attended the Gazi University School of Dentistry in Ankara, Turkey, 70% of whom comprised the control group with no gag reflex. The data was obtained using questionnaires including the GPA-pa SF (gagging problem assessment questionnaire short form) and the Turkish versions of the modified dental anxiety scale. Not unexpectedly, patients with exaggerated gag reflex wore fewer removable prostheses, particularly maxillary dentures, compared to those without a gag reflex.
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Influence of gag reflex on dental attendance, dental anxiety, self-reported temporomandibular disorders and prosthetic restorations. Br Dent J 216, 415 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.261
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.261