This review to determine whether root canal treatment causes greater stress than other dental treatments, especially extractions, in patients and providers of dental treatment included 23 studies. The findings suggest that root canal treatment was more psychologically stressful for patients than routine restorative or cleaning procedures however a majority of the included studies (52%) were at high risk of bias.
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This review of virtual reality (VR) distraction interventions in alleviating dental anxiety in paediatric patients included 12 RCTs. The findings suggest VR could be an effective approach to alleviating dental anxiety in paediatric patients.
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In this blog Rebecca Manson considers a systematic review assessing whether the use of animal-assisted therapy helps reduce anxiety during dental care in children and adolescents.
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This Cochrane review update of antibiotic prophylaxis before invasive dental procedures in people at risk or at high risk of bacterial endocarditis included one case-controlled study. Consequently, there is no clear evidence about whether antibiotic prophylaxis is effective or ineffective against bacterial endocarditis in at-risk people who are about to undergo an invasive dental procedure.
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This review of whether parents’ presence in the room influences children’s behaviour, anxiety and fear during dental treatment included 16 studies. The findings suggest that parents’ presence in the operation room does not influence children’s (up to 12 years old) behaviour, anxiety and fear during dental treatment. However the included studies are all at high risk of bias so the certainty of the evidence is very low.
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Marianne Dobson takes a look at this systematic review of the orofacial manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The review included 30 studies and provides a narrative summary of a issues related to orofacial symptoms and management. However good quality prospective studies are needed to improve the the quality of evidence surrounding this topic.
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In this opinion piece Mark-Steven Howe looks at the estimated prevalence of covid-19 in the UK and the impact that it may have on the design of studies to test PPE.
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This update of a Cochrane review of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for the management of gagging in people undergoing dental treatment found very low-certainty evidence from four trials that was insufficient to conclude if there is any benefit of acupuncture, acupressure or laser at P6 point in reducing gagging and allowing successful completion of dental procedures.
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This review assessing whether distraction techniques reduce children’s/adolescent’s anxiety and fear during dental treatment included 20 RCTs providing very low certainty evidence that these techniques have a positive effect.
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This Cochrane review found 5 RCTs of pre-op analgesics prior to dental treatment for children under local anaesthetic. The evidence as insufficient to determine a benefit but there may be a benefit prior to orthodontic band placement. Further high quality studies are needed.
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