Levels of anxiety and salivary alpha-amylase in children during restorative dental treatment

Abstract

Objective: To assess levels of anxiety and salivary alpha-amylase in children and its association with the use of informative or aversive behavioral management techniques during restorative dental procedures. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 69 children aged 4-12 years submitted to restorative dental treatment. The level of anxiety of patients was verified by means of the Modified Venham Picture Test and levels of salivary alpha-amylase were measured before and after the restorative procedure. The behavioral management techniques used during the dental procedure were registered. Associations between variables were analyzed using the chi-square test, considering statistically significant associations with p ≤ 0.05. Results: Salivary alpha-amylase showed high and moderate levels prior to dental procedure in 47 children (68.1%). Variables gender and behavioral management techniques were not associated with anxiety, as measured by VPT and salivary alphaamylase activity. However, younger children showed higher levels of alpha-amylase (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The sample revealed that the visit to the dentist has generated anxiety, manifested by behavioral and physiological changes, especially in children under 72 months; thus, no association between anxiety and the different management techniques was observed.