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It's no joke – can psychological interventions help dental patients who gag?

British Dental Journal volume 240, page 39 (2026)Cite this article

The effectiveness of psychological interventions for the management of gagging among dental patients: a scoping review. Br Dent J 2025; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-025-8861-6

This scoping review examined the current evidence base available on psychological interventions to manage problematic gag reflexes of dental patients. The authors highlight a gap in evidence and guidance to help dentists manage patients with prominent gag reflexes interfering with dental treatment.1,2

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References

  1. Hamedani S, Farshidfar N. The predicament of gag reflex and its management in dental practice during COVID-19 outbreak. J Dent Sci 2021; 16: 791–792.

  2. Mehdizadeh M, Mohammadbeigi A, Sharifinejad A. An overview about new methods in management of gag reflex during dental treatment: a systematic review. J Dent (Shiraz) 2023; 24: 372–381.

  3. Glover J, Izzo D, Odato K, Wang L. EBM Page Generator. 2011. Available at www.ebmpyramid.org (accessed 15 December 2025).

  4. Mak S, Thomas A. Steps for conducting a scoping review. J Grad Med Educ 2022; 14: 565–567.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ST2 Oral Surgery, Pinderfields Hospital, Yorkshire and Humber Deanery, United Kingdom

    Rosie Fletcher

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  1. Rosie Fletcher
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Correspondence to Rosie Fletcher.

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Fletcher, R. It's no joke – can psychological interventions help dental patients who gag?. Br Dent J 240, 39 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-025-9503-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-025-9503-8

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