Gap finder

Search review questions

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
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment
Acceptance of LA · 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
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
Pre- and post-operative anxiety measures (Venham's scale) · 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
MD 0.13 [-0.37, 0.63]1 study · 46 participantsUngraded
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment
Physical/verbal resistance and self-reported pain during LA (other studies) · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before or during LA, Oberoi 2016 (resistance)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
RR 0.47 [0.34, 0.65]1 study · 200 participantsUngraded
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain-related behaviour (any disruptive behaviour/sudden reaction/movement) · 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
pain-related behaviour (any disruptive behaviour/sudden reaction/movement); 4 studies reported a benefit in using the wand while the remaining studies results suggested no difference between the 2 methods of delivering…6 studies · 704 participantsVery low
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: anxiety/pain experience (VAS, higher scores indicate worsened anxiety) · 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
MD -37.16 [-50.94, -23.38]1 study · 66 participantsLow
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video
Acceptance of LA · 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
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA (SEM scale, distress) · 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
No numeric data reported. Study authors reported lower distress values (SEM scale) for all categories in the combined counter-stimulation and distraction group; this difference was significant when compared to the…1 study · 78 participantsVery low
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)
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
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)
Acceptance of LA · 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
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation)
Adverse effects · 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
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation)
Acceptance of LA · 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
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video
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
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment
Successful LA/painless 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
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation or distraction 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
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment
Acceptance of LA · 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
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment
Adverse effects · 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
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation)
Successful LA/painless 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
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain (modified objective pain score, mOPS; VAS 0 to 10) · 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
MD -1.79 [-3.01, -0.57]1 study · 29 participantsVery low
Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment
Successful LA/painless 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
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation)
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain (Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale, 0 to 10) · 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
MD -1.34 [-2.35, -0.33]1 study · 100 participantsVery low
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · 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
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic
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
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic
Pain perception during the intervention (pooled) · 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
RR 1.15 [0.83, 1.59]2 studies · 68 participantsUngraded
Counter-stimulation or distraction 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
Pre-cooling of the injection site vs Conventional treatment
Completion of dental 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
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment
Pre- and post-operative anxiety measures (Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale: faces, MCDAS(f), after LA) · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · During LA, Audiovisual glasses vs conventional
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
MD -12.60 [-15.33, -9.87]1 studyUngraded
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic
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
Camouflage syringe vs Conventional syringe
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
Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment
Adverse effects · 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
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain-related behaviour during LA (negative vs positive behaviour; Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale) · 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
RR 0.13 [0.03, 0.50]1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment
Acceptance of LA · 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
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation or distraction vs Conventional treatment
Acceptance of LA · 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
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
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 vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
Acceptance of LA · 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
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Audiovisual distraction 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
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic
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
The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic
Acceptance of LA · 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
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Camouflage syringe vs Conventional syringe
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain-related behaviour (crying) · 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
RR 0.02 [0.00, 0.37]1 study · 100 participantsVery low
Pre-cooling of the injection site vs Conventional treatment
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain (SEM scale - Sound, Eyes, and Motor scale) · 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
pain (SEM scale); risk with conventional treatment -, risk with pre-cooling -; 160 (1 RCT); VERY LOW. Evidence is uncertain regarding the effect of pre-cooling of the injection site on pain (data presented in a form…1 study · 160 participantsVery low
Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation)
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
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
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
Counter-stimulation or distraction vs Conventional treatment
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires · 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
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Counter-stimulation or distraction vs Conventional treatment
Adverse effects · 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
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Camouflage syringe vs Conventional syringe
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
Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation)
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
Counter-stimulation or distraction vs Conventional treatment
Pain on injection (Wong-Baker Faces / TPPPS / FPS-R, after LA) · Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia · Immediately before or during LA, Kamath 2013 (WITAUL)
Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental… (2020) · Cochrane
MD -3.18 [-4.26, -2.10]1 studyUngraded
Pre-cooling of the injection site vs Conventional treatment
Adverse effects · 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
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain-related behaviour/co-operation (Frankl scale) · 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
MD 0.01 [-0.33, 0.35]1 study · 46 participantsVery low
Camouflage syringe vs Conventional syringe
Acceptance of LA · 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
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment
Adverse effects · 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
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies