Case-control study demonstrates heightened gag reflex in dental patients with steeper soft palate types, suggesting anatomical screening can guide clinical care.
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the association between the gag reflex and soft palate types. METHODOLOGY This case-control study was conducted in Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. The study included 120 participants divided equally into gag reflex (case=60) and non-gag reflex (control=60) groups. Gag reflex was categorized according to Dickinson and Fiske's Gagging Severity Index. Grade 1 was considered normal and allotted to the control group. Grade 2 was considered mild gagging; Grade 3, moderate; and Grades 4 & 5, severe. The soft palate was categorized according to the House classification into Class I, Class II, and Class III. Sodium Alginate impressions were recorded for patients; those who experienced gagging during impression-taking were included in the case group, while those who did not were included in the control group. RESULTSOf 120 patients, 39.2% were male, and 60.8% were female. Compared to the control group, gag was significantly associated with Soft Palate type II (Odds Ratio: 4.97; 95% CI: 2.24 to 11) and Soft Palate type III (Odds Ratio: 5.88; 95% CI: 1.0 to 33.36). Also, a significant association of the gag reflex was observed with motion sickness (p=0.001), Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (p<0.001), and Mouth breathing (p=0.005). Age, gender, and education were not associated with the gag reflex. CONCLUSION There is a significant association between the gag reflex and soft palate type, motion sickness, and GERD.
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