The prevalence and influencing factors of gag reflex in children aged 7-14 years in the dental setting.

Background: Gag reflex may occur in patients of all ages and often considered having a multifactorial aetiology.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and influencing factors of gag reflex in Turkish children aged 7-14 years in the dental setting.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 320 children aged between 7 and 14 years. First, an anamnesis form which include sosyodemographic status, monthly level of income, children past medical and dental experiences was filled by mothers. Children's fear levels were evaluated using the Dental Subscale of Children's Fear Survey Schedule(CFSS-DS) while mother's anxiety levels using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale(MDAS). The revised dentist section of gagging problem assessment questionnaire (GPA-R-de) was used for both children and mothers. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS program.

Results: The prevalence of gag reflex among children was 34.1%, among mothers was 20.3%. The association between child and mother gagging was found statistically significant (χ  = 53.121, p < 0.001). When the mother of the child gagged, the risk of child gagging increases 6.83 times (p < 0.001). Higher CFSS-DS scores of children increase risk of gagging (OR = 1.052, p = 0.023). Children who were previously treated mostly in public hospitals significantly more likely to gag compared with private dental clinics (OR = 10.990, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: It was concluded that negative past dental experiences, previous dental treatments with local anaesthesia, history of hospital admission, number and place of previous dental visits, dental fear level of children, and low education level and gagging of mother have an influence on the gagging of children.