Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41914069›Full record

ArticleActa odontologica Scandinavica2026

Use of a handheld communication tool for children and youths during dental procedures: a two-site controlled intervention study.

Elisabeth Ørskov Rotevatn, Emilie Stensaker Paz, Louise Sandal Løkeland, Frode Guribye, Grete Olin Engan, Cecilie Gudveig Gjerde, Torgils Lægreid, David N Breidablik Vatne, Unnur Bergmann, Lars Jørgen Rygh and 1 more

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Article in Acta odontologica Scandinavica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Elisabeth Ørskov RotevatnDepartment of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. eoro@helse-bergen.no.
Emilie Stensaker PazDepartment of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Louise Sandal LøkelandDepartment of Information Science and Media Studies, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Frode GuribyeDepartment of Information Science and Media Studies, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Grete Olin EnganSogndal Dental Clinic, Vestland County Municipality, Sogndal, Norway.
Cecilie Gudveig GjerdeDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Center for Translational Oral Research, Department of Clinical Dentistry, Medical Faculty, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Torgils LægreidDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Center for Translational Oral Research, Department of Clinical Dentistry, Medical Faculty, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
David N Breidablik VatneDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Unnur BergmannDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Lars Jørgen RyghDepartment of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Mette EnganChildren and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEffective communication between dental professionals and patients is essential for quality care. We aimed to evaluate whether Grasp, a novel handheld squeezable device providing real-time visual and auditory feedback to signal discomfort, improved communication between patients and their dentists during dental procedures. MATERIALS AND

methodsPatients aged 6-25 years were recruited from two dental clinics in Norway. Participants were divided into two groups: One received standard care, the other used Grasp in addition to standard care. All patients - and additionally caregivers of those under 16 - completed pre- and post-treatment questionnaires, rating communication on a 1-10 scale. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the intervention's effect, adjusting for baseline scores.

resultsA total of 121 patients (58% females; median age 16 years) participated, with 60 using Grasp. Patients using Grasp reported greater confidence that the dentist understood their feelings, recognized when they wanted to stop, and found it easier to speak up during treatment (β = 2.10-2.54, p < 0.05). The effect of Grasp was more pronounced for participants reporting lower baseline confidence in communication with their dentist.

conclusionsGrasp appeared to improve communication regarding discomfort during dental procedures, particularly for those who initially reported lower levels of communication confidence.

Indexed as

CommunicationDentist-Patient RelationsAdolescentAdultChildFemaleHumansMaleYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID41914069
PMCPMC13049696

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.