Abstract
Little is known about whether midazolam sedation can reduce salivary cortisol levels and consequently influence children's behaviour during dental treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of midazolam sedation on salivary cortisol and its correlation with children's behaviour during restorative dental treatment. Eighteen healthy children, aged two to five years, were randomly assigned to two dental treatment appointments, both with physical restraint: oral midazolam 1 mg/kg (MS) and placebo (PS). An observer assessed the children's behaviour (videos) using the Ohio State University Behavioral Rating Scale (OSUBRS). The children's saliva was collected just after waking up, on arrival at the dental school, 25 minutes after local anaesthesia, and 25 minutes after the end of the procedure. Salivary cortisol levels were determined using the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. The data were analysed by bivariate tests and multivariate analysis of variance (5% level). Salivary cortisol levels were lower in the MS group than in the PS group at the time of anaesthesia (p = 0.004), but did not vary during the appointment within sedation (p = 0.319) or placebo (p = 0.080) groups. Children's behaviour was negative most of the time and did not differ between MS and PS; however, the behaviour (OSUBRS) did not correlate with salivary cortisol levels. Oral midazolam is able to control salivary cortisol levels during dental treatment of pre-schoolers, which might not lead to better clinical behaviour.
Highlights
One of the most difficult problems during dental treatment of pre-schoolers is behaviour management.[1]
The children in the MS and PS groups respectively received class I (33.3% vs. 30.5%), class II (2.7% vs. 5.5%), and class III restorations (13.8% vs. 13.8%)
The anaesthetic techniques used in the MS and PS groups were inferior alveolar nerve block (38.9% vs. 44.5%, respectively) and maxillary infiltration (61.1% vs. 55.5%, respectively) (Fisher’s exact test p = 0.145)
Summary
One of the most difficult problems during dental treatment of pre-schoolers is behaviour management.[1] Local anaesthesia is the most commonly cited cause of anxiety and stress in children during dental treatment.[2] factors such as youth, previous negative experiences, anxiety, and toothache have contributed to children’s negative behaviour in the dental school.[3]. Many techniques have been used to control children’s behaviour during dental treatment. The basic methods are not satisfactory for all children, making it necessary to use advanced methods. These include sedation techniques (minimal, moderate, and deep), physical restraint, Braz Oral Res [online]. These include sedation techniques (minimal, moderate, and deep), physical restraint, Braz Oral Res [online]. 2015;29(1):[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]
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