Pain relief from dental blocks in emergency department patients

Efficacy of ED Provider-Performed Dental Block for Pain Relief in Patients Presenting With Dental Pain

Observational University of California, San Francisco · NCT05351099

This study is testing if dental blocks can quickly relieve pain for adults with dental issues who come to the emergency department.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment195 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations1 site (Fresno, California)
Trial IDNCT05351099 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational cohort study aims to assess the effectiveness of dental blocks in providing immediate pain relief for patients presenting with dental pain in the emergency department. Conducted at the Community Regional Medical Center, the study will involve trained medical personnel administering dental blocks to eligible adult patients. The study will track patient responses to pain relief and gather data on the effectiveness of this standard care procedure. Participation will be voluntary, and reasons for refusal will be documented without patient identifiers.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older presenting to the emergency department with dental pain who are eligible for a dental nerve block.

Not a fit: Patients who have had a dental block within the last 24 hours or those unable to provide informed consent will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance pain management strategies for patients with dental pain in emergency settings.

How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches have been utilized in pain management, this specific observational study is novel in its focus on dental blocks in an emergency department setting.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients (\>= 18-years-old) presenting to Community Regional Medical Center emergency department with a complaint of dental pain in whom the ED practitioner plans to perform a dental nerve block

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient with previous dental block within 24 hours prior to arrival at the ED
* Refusal of dental block
* Patient in law enforcement custody
* Patient unable to be properly informed of study purpose or able to complete pain VAS score due to physical/ mental condition (altered mental status, unstable psychiatric patient)
* Patient unable to be properly informed of study purpose or able to complete pain VAS score due to language barrier (not English- or Spanish-speaking)
* Patient with other acute non-dental painful condition making evaluation of dental pain severity vs non-dental pain severity not possible
* Patient with pain in multiple areas of mouth needing dental block in \> 1 anatomic area
* Patient to have Dental / OMFS ED consult for procedure

Where this trial is running

Fresno, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Dental PainDental BlockInferior alveolar nerve blockPosterior superior alveolar nerve blocksupraperiosteal nerve block
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.