Self-preference music for gagging patient: Effect on physiology and oral health-related quality of life during dental impression

Abstract

Background: Gagging condition is among factors contributing to avoidance behavior to seek the dental treatment, and rigorous management is still under investigation. This study aims to explore the effect of listening to the self-preference music in reducing the gagging condition during dental impression procedure towards gagging patient. Physiology and psychological impact to the procedure with and without musical intervention are investigated.

Method and material: A group of twenty-five patients that will undergo impression procedure was randomly selected. Self-reported Gagging Problem Assessment (GPA-pa-SF) questionnaires was then administered to determine the severity of gagging. Maxillary impression was taken twice within the same patient in two different time intervals (1st without any intervention and 2nd with musical intervention). During both procedures, the pulse rate/minutes (BPM) and arterial oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (SpO₂%) were recorded and psychometric assessment was evaluated through the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14).

Result: Mean value of BPM was significantly reduced with music (p < 0.05) while SpO₂ was considerably has positive effect although was found no significant. The OHIP 14 demonstrated that functional limitation and psychological disability were the most affected before the intervention. Overall, musical stimuli had a significant effect on stress reduction in both physiological (p < 0.05) and psychological (p < 0.05) outcomes except for social disability and handicap items.

Conclusion: Listening to self-preference music during impression taking had improved physiology and psychology of gagging patients thus, can be attributed to the better dental management.

Keywords: Dental impression; Gag reflex; Gagging problem assessment questionnaire; Oral health impact; Self-preference music.