Níveis de cortisol salivar de crianças em tratamento odontológico

Abstract

The evaluation of salivary cortisol levels may provide a means for the dentist to customize the service so as to reduce and/or modulate anxiety and stress induced by dental treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the levels of cortisol in saliva in children undergoing a dental appointment for examination, diagnosis and to compare those levels with the variables behavior, gender, previous dental experience and treatment needs. Four saliva samples were collected from 43 volunteer children, 29 boys and 14 girls aged between 7 and 10 years. Two samples were collected in one day for a dental visit for examination and diagnosis (one prior and one after the dental examination); two samples were collected on a routine day without dental visit (one 30 minutes after awakening and another in the afternoon period). Participants were divided into two groups according to the behavior exhibited during the appointment (Group I: cooperative behavior, Group II: uncooperative behavior). Saliva samples were collected with Salivettes® and analyzed by chemiluminescence assay. The results were expressed as μg/dl. The Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman’s test and Wilcoxon test were used to compare salivary cortisol levels in different moments in different groups of children and in children of a same group. The significance level adopted was 5%. In the total sample were observed mean values of prior consultation cortisol close of that observed on ACR, differently of values obtained on a day without consultation. There was significant reduction in salivary cortisol level after the dental visit among children in Group II and among male children. The results showed that the period of anticipation of a dental visit can generate greater anxiety/stress than the appointment itself for children with uncooperative behavior and boys.