Using play to ease dental X-rays: Reducing the gag reflex in kids with a fun distraction technique.

Recruiting

Conditions: Dental caries, unspecified,

Registration Number: CTRI/2025/05/087760

Lead Sponsor: Karuna YM

Brief Summary: Theincreased gag reflex is frequently seen in children and presents problemsduring various dental procedures including intra-oral radiography. The gaggingsensation prevents the child from cooperating while taking radiographs,subsequently necessitating repeat radiographs and more radiation exposures. Thus,if it is possible by any means to distract a child while taking radiographs, itwill reduce the gagging reflex, thereby helping the pediatric dentist obtain anaccurate radiograph with the least faults and less radiation exposure.

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Open to Recruitment

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 25

Inclusion Criteria

The study will include children aged 6-13 years, whose parents agreed to give written consent, children with a minimum requirement of two intra-oral periapical radiographs either in the maxillary or mandibular molar region (both radiographic requirements in the same arch) for diagnosis or treatment planning, or as a part of the treatment, children with moderate to very severe gag reflex according to the Classification of Gagging Problem (CGP) index, and children with Frankl’s definitely positive or positive behavior ratings.

Exclusion Criteria

Uncooperative children, those who have special health care needs, are undertaking any kind of systemic medications during the study period, with emergency dental treatment needs, and if the patient has a minimum of two intra-oral periapical radiographic requirements, but both are not on the same arch, will be excluded.

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The severity of gagging during radiographic procedures will be visually evaluated by two examiners, and scoring will be done by consensus using the gagging severity (GS) criteria [13], which rates gagging severity from 0 (no or mild gagging) to 3 (worst gagging, radiograph cannot be taken).	The severity of gagging will be evaluated at base line (single point assessment)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Correlation between dental anxiety & gag reflex of the child patient will also be assessed.	At baseline only (single point assessment)

Trial Locations

Locations (1): Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore
🇮🇳
Kannada, KARNATAKA, India
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore
🇮🇳Kannada, KARNATAKA, India
Dr Karuna YM
Principal investigator
9964116229
karuna.ym@manipal.edu