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Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

342 questions in 11 reviews · Pain control and patient management

current versions
No studies 158 · 46.2%Ungraded 53 · 15.5%Very low 87 · 25.4%Low 30 · 8.8%Moderate 10 · 2.9%High 4 · 1.2%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Pre-cooling of the injection site vs Conventional treatment
Acceptance of LA · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)
Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Pre-cooling of the injection site vs Conventional treatment
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment
Successful LA/painless treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before or during LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation or distraction vs Conventional treatment
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain (SEM scale; any pain vs no pain) · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before or during LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.12 [0.04, 0.34]1 study · 134 participantsVery low
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment
Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before or during LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain-related behaviour (any disruptive behaviour; modified Wong-Baker Faces Scale) · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
MD 0.06 [0.01, 0.11]1 study · 112 participantsVery low
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)
Successful LA/painless treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Pre-cooling of the injection site vs Conventional treatment
Successful LA/painless treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Camouflage syringe vs Conventional syringe
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video
Adverse effects · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video
Successful LA/painless treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment
Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Camouflage syringe vs Conventional syringe
Successful LA/painless treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment
Pain on injection (Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, after inferior alveolar block) · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA, VR box vs conventional
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
MD 0.04 [-0.41, 0.48]1 studyUngraded
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · In advance of LA
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)
Pain on injection (self-reported; FACES Pain Scale Revised) · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
MD 0.68 [-1.31, 2.67]1 study · 112 participantsUngraded
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic
Completion of dental treatment · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA (injection is the intervention)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Acupuncture at P6 point vs Sham acupuncture
Reduction in gagging (assessor-reported – treatment effectiveness) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials… · Stage 1 (empty impression tray try-in)
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
MD 0.40 [-0.12, 0.93]1 study · 33 participantsUngraded
Acupressure at P6 point with thumb vs Sham (dummy) acupressure
Completion of dental procedure · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.85 [0.50, 1.46]1 study · 30 participantsVery low
Acupuncture at P6 point vs Sham acupuncture
Successful completion of dental procedure · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.78 [1.05, 3.01]2 studies · 59 participantsVery low
Acupressure at P6 point with sea band plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation
Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported adverse effects.0 studiesNo studies
Acupressure at P6 point with sea band vs Sham (dummy) acupressure
Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported adverse effects.0 studiesNo studies
Acupressure at P6 point with device plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation
Reduction in gagging (patient-reported) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.26 [0.93, 1.69]1 study · 27 participantsVery low
Acupressure at P6 point with thumb plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation
Reduction in gagging (patient-reported) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.06 [0.92, 1.23]1 study · 39 participantsVery low
Acupuncture at P6 point vs Sham acupuncture
Reduction in gagging (patient-reported – ordinal converted to dichotomous) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 2.57 [1.12, 5.89]1 study · 26 participantsVery low
Acupressure at P6 point with device plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation
Completion of dental procedure · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.16 [0.90, 1.48]1 study · 27 participantsVery low
Laser (low-level laser) at P6 point vs Control (sham/dummy laser)
Completion of dental treatment · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
Completion of dental treatment: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Acupuncture at P6 point vs Sham acupuncture
Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: 33 participants (1 RCT, Zotelli 2014); very low certainty. The trial authors were unsure whether the reported adverse events (one control participant reported increased sweating) were due to…1 study · 33 participantsVery low
Acupressure at P6 point with sea band plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation
Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported presence or absence of gagging.0 studiesNo studies
Laser (low-level laser) at P6 point vs Control (sham/dummy laser)
Reduction in gagging (assessor-reported) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
MD 1.80 [1.53, 2.07]1 study · 25 participantsVery low
Acupressure at P6 point with device vs Sham (dummy) acupressure
Completion of dental procedure · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 2.63 [1.33, 5.18]1 study · 34 participantsVery low
Acupressure at P6 point with device vs Sham (dummy) acupressure
Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported adverse effects.0 studiesNo studies
Acupressure at P6 point with device plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation
Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported adverse effects.0 studiesNo studies
Acupressure at P6 point with thumb plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation
Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported presence or absence of gagging.0 studiesNo studies
Acupressure at P6 point with device plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation
Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported presence or absence of gagging.0 studiesNo studies
Acupressure at P6 point with device vs Sham (dummy) acupressure
Reduction in gagging (patient-reported) · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 3.94 [1.63, 9.53]1 study · 34 participantsVery low
Laser (low-level laser) at P6 point vs Control (sham/dummy laser)
Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
Adverse effects: none of the trials reported adverse effects.0 studiesNo studies
Acupuncture at P6 point with sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupuncture with sedation
Completion of dental procedure · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.08 [0.91, 1.28]1 study · 34 participantsVery low
Acupressure at P6 point with thumb plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation
Adverse effects · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported adverse effects.0 studiesNo studies
Acupressure at P6 point with thumb vs Sham (dummy) acupressure
Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported presence or absence of gagging.0 studiesNo studies
Acupressure at P6 point with sea band vs Sham (dummy) acupressure
Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
None of the trials comparing acupressure with thumb, device or sea band to sham acupressure with or without sedation reported presence or absence of gagging.0 studiesNo studies
Laser (low-level laser) at P6 point vs Control (sham/dummy laser)
Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
OR 86.33 [29.41, 253.45]1 study · 40 participantsVery low
Acupressure at P6 point with sea band plus sedation vs Sham (dummy) acupressure with sedation
Completion of dental procedure · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.88 [0.67, 1.17]1 study · 21 participantsVery low
Acupuncture at P6 point vs Sham acupuncture
Presence or absence of gagging · People (older than four years) classified as having gagging that interfered with dental treatment; included trials…
Management of gag reflex for patients undergoing dental treatment (2019) · Cochrane
Presence or absence of gagging: none of the trials reported this outcome.0 studiesNo studies