Assessment of correlation of gagging and dental anxiety in male and female patients of Sawangi A pilot study

Aim: Aim of the study was to assess correlation of dental anxiety with gagging in both genders. Method: This pilot study was conducted on randomly selected 50 patients in a hospital in Sawangi. The study sample consisted of 11 males and 39 females. The data was collected using Proforma- GPA (Gagging Problem Assessment 2008), gag reflex severity was recorded by triggering certain areas with the help of mouth mirror and the severity was scored, Gagging severity index (GSI) 2001 was recorded at 3 stages of alginate impression to examine how the procedure provoked gagging, and anxiety level was analyzed using Corah anxiety scale (1969). It was analyzed using descriptive analysis and unpaired t-test. Results: Percentage of female with grade 2 gag increased 28.21% in stage 1 to 30.77% in stage 2 followed by fall in percentage of females with grade 2 gag in stage 3 during impression making. Moderate anxiety levels were reported considerably less in males (18.18%) than females (33.33%). There was more prevalence of anxiety and gagging among females than the males. Conclusion: Tracing of trigger points before dental procedures helps dentists in course of treatment and helps counseling of patients how to avoid triggering gag during routine activities. Recognizing the factor contributing to gagging would help the clinician to bring down the discomfort and enhance the quality of care to people with such needs.