SALIVARY ALPHA-AMYLASE AS A MEASURE OF ANXIETY BEFORE AND AFTER DENTAL TREATMENT FOR VISUALLY AND HEARING-IMPAIRED CHILDREN AND THEIR MOTHERS

Eka S Shofiyah; Margaretha Sovaria; Mochamad F Rizal; Sarworini B Budiardjo

doi:10.22159/ijap.2017.v9s2.32

Authors

Eka S Shofiyah Department of Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
Margaretha Sovaria Department of Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
Mochamad F Rizal Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
Sarworini B Budiardjo Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2017.v9s2.32

Keywords:

Salivary alpha-amylase, Anxiety, Children, Sensory impairment, Dental treatment

Abstract

Objective: Visual and hearing impairments are known to profoundly affect children's psychological development, including their anxiety. However, strong emotional relationship with their mother found in these children may help them cope. Measuring salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) in saliva samples is widely used in clinical settings as a reliable, non-invasive biomarker of anxiety level.

Methods: Our objective was to evaluate sAA levels in visually and hearing-impaired children and their mothers before and after dental treatment. This study included 60 children with visual and hearing impairments and their mothers. sAA level of both children and mothers was sampled while they were together in the waiting room before treatment. The children then underwent dental prophylaxis in a separate room, and their post-treatment sAA was measured immediately afterward. At that time, their mother's post-treatment sAA was sampled in the waiting room. Data were analyzed using a Wilcoxon test.

Results: sAA levels were found to differ significantly between pre-Â and post-dental treatment (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This difference indicates that reducing maternal anxiety would be of great benefit in reducing anxiety in visually and hearing-impaired children. Practical implications: Appropriately managing anxiety in this group of children can be of great benefit to dentists in daily practice, helping them provide the care that these children need.

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