Effect of the stress of dental treatment on salivary cortisol

Abstract

We investigated how providing the patient with detailed information about his dental treatment and multiple dental treatment visits reduced stress. Eighteen healthy subjects were divided into two groups, one was given detailed informed consent and the other was not. Saliva samples were collected repeatedly during the experimental dental treatment procedures. The treatment procedures were oral examination, dental anesthesia, dental scaling, and impression taking. We recorded the state-trait anxiety inventory, and the visual analogue scale relating to anxiety and pain. The procedures were administered over a two day period. Salivary hormone concentrations were measured by the enzyme immunoassay method, and all data were compared by the analysis of variance and multiple comparison. We found that when the patient was provided with detailed information about the treatment, and when he acquired adaptation by multiple visits, the stress of dental treatment was reduced. Shika Igaku (J Osaka Odontol Soc) 2003 Mar; 66(1): 48-54.