A Review of Gagging Problems in Dentistry: 2. Clinical Assessment and Management

From Volume 32, Issue 2, March 2005 | Pages 74-80

Authors

C.M. Dickinson

BDS, MSc, DDPH, LDS RCS (Eng.)

Senior Dental Officer, Department of Sedation and Special Care Dentistry, Floor 26, GKT Dental Institute, St. Thomas' Street, London SE1 9RT

Articles by C.M. Dickinson

J. Fiske

PhD, BDS, FDS RCS (Eng.), MPhil

Senior Lecturer and Consultant, Department of Sedation and Special Care Dentistry, Floor 26, GKT Dental Institute, St Thomas' Street, London SE1 9RT

Articles by J. Fiske

Abstract

A pronounced gag reflex can be a severe limitation to a patient's ability to accept dental care and for a clinician's ability to provide it. It can compromise all aspects of dentistry from diagnostic procedures to active treatment and can be distressing for all concerned. Many ‘management’ techniques have been described. This paper describes the different categories of treatment used to manage people with pronounced gag reflexes.

Article