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NCT Number: NCT07106983

Gagging and Feelings of Disgust: Forgotten Reactions in Dental Treatment?

This cross-sectional study aims to validate two questionnaires: one measuring gagging related to dental treatment, and another assessing feelings of disgust and aversion. It also explores associations with self-reported experiences, including dental fear and a history of abuse.

Gagging and disgust in dental settings are complex reactions that may hinder access to necessary care, affecting oral health and quality of life.

The study includes two anonymous surveys:

* Young adults from Vestland County, recruited via SMS * Dental and dental hygiene students at the University of Bergen

Validated instruments were used, including DPSS-R, Predictive Gagging Survey, GPA, MDAS, and IOIF-s.

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Key information

Conditions

Gagging Disgust Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

The Oral Health Centre of Expertise in Western Norway

Bergen, Norway

About this study

This study aims to validate two questionnaires: one assessing gagging related to dental treatment, and another measuring feelings of disgust and aversion in dental treatment. Additionally, the study explores associations between these responses and self-reported life experiences, including sexual abuse and dental fear.

Gagging and disgust in dental settings are complex responses with both biological and psychological components. For affected individuals, these reactions may interfere with the ability to receive necessary dental care, with potential negative consequences for oral health and quality of life.

This quantitative cross-sectional study includes data that were partially used in a master's thesis at the University of Bergen (2023), conducted as part of the broader research project. The study consists of two sub-studies:

Sub-study I: Young adults from Vestland County were recruited via SMS to complete an anonymous online survey.

Sub-study II: Dental and dental hygiene students at the University of Bergen were invited via the learning platform Mitt UiB.

The surveys collected data on participants' experiences with gagging, dental fear, fear of intraoral injections, and disgust/aversion. Psychometric instruments used included the Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity - Revised (DPSS-R), The Predictive Gagging Survey, Gagging Problem Assessment (GPA), Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and Intra- Oral Injection Fear scale (IOIF).

The study contributes to the validation of tools for assessing gagging and disgust in dental care, and increases knowledge about possible associations between gagging, aversion, dental anxiety, and history of abuse.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

  • Young adults born between 2000 and 2001, recruited from the Public Dental Health Service in Vestland County
  • All dental and dental hygienist students at the University of Bergen in 2022

Treatment and study plan

No intervention (observational study)

Other

Observational survey only

Primary outcomes

  1. Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Gag Reflex During Dental Treatment

    Time frame: From data collection start in October 2022 until the end of data collection December 2022.

    Evaluation of the questionnaire's validity in measuring the prevalence of gagging during dental procedures in young adults in Western Norway.

  2. Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Disgust During Dental Treatment

    Time frame: From data collection start in October 2022 until the end of data collection December 2022.

    Evaluation of the questionnaire's validity in measuring the prevalence of disgust response during dental procedures in young adults in Western Norway.

  3. The prevalence of gagging

    Time frame: From data collection start in October 2022 until the end of data collection December 2022.

    Assessing the prevalence of gagging in young adults in Westen Norway.

  4. The prevalence of disgust

    Time frame: From data collection start in October 2022 until the end of data collection December 2022.

    Assessing the prevalence of disgust among young adults in Western Norway

Secondary outcomes

  1. Association Between Gag Reflex and Self-Reported Life Experiences

    Time frame: From data collection start in October 2022 until the end of data collection December 2022.

    Examination of the correlation between self-reported instances of gagging during dental treatment and past life experiences, such as sexual abuse and dental anxiety.

  2. Prevalence of Gag Reflex and feelings of disgust Among Dental and Dental Hygiene Students

    Time frame: From data collection start in October 2022 until the end of data collection December 2022.

    Measurement of the prevalence of gagging and disgust responses during dental treatment among dental and dental hygienist students at the University of Bergen.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Oral Health Centre of Expertise in Western Norway

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Aug 6, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 6, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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