Stress patterns among children in dental care

Researchers have found that children may be stressed by injection of local anesthetics prior to tooth extraction, according to a pilot study from the University of Gothenburg.

In the study, which was presented at the congress of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, the researchers monitored the stress levels of 34 patients aged 14 to 16 years who either experienced a regular dental exam or invasive treatment such as tooth extraction that involved the use of anesthetics.

They were able to identify a clear pattern. According to the researchers, “the participants who underwent regular dental exams exhibited scattered stress spikes while those who underwent invasive treatment were significantly more stressed for longer periods.”

The researchers hope their findings can inspire clinicians to monitor patients’ stress levels and perform remedial measures to minimize fear.

Read more: British Dental Journal

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