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 in formed consent and the other was not. Saliva samples were collected repeatedly during the experimental dental treatment. We recorded the state-trait anxiety inventory, and the visual analogue scale about 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. 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.