Quantitative evaluation of dental anxiety indicators in the serum and saliva samples of children treated under general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES

Dental anxiety level has been previously associated with oral health status. Since general anesthesia (GA) allows dental treatments to be performed in anxious children with a high number of caries, we aimed to evaluate the dental anxiety levels of these children before and after dental treatments performed under GA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-eight children with high anxiety aged between 35 and 72 months who required multiple dental treatments to be performed under GA were included in the study. Frankl's Behavior Rating Scale, sitting patterns, Facial Image Scale, and Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (completed by the children's parents) were recorded before and after the dental treatments performed under GA. Pre-treatment and post-treatment biochemical parameters, including cortisol, alpha-amylase, and chromogranin A levels, in saliva and serum samples were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The psychometric scales showed a statistically significant reduction in the post-treatment dental anxiety levels of the children compared with the pre-treatment anxiety levels. Additionally, the biochemical parameters measured in the serum and whole saliva samples showed a decrease after treatments performed under GA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study results suggest that performing dental treatments under GA can reduce the dental anxiety levels of children with a high number of caries.