Examining Stress Salivary Biomarkers in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Dental Procedures

Launched by MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY · Dec 11, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on understanding how stress affects children who are undergoing dental procedures, especially those who are feeling anxious or scared. Researchers will collect saliva samples from kids aged 7 to 17 before their dental or orthodontic treatments to measure certain stress-related substances. By comparing these measurements with how anxious the children feel, the study aims to find out if there is a link between their reported feelings of stress and the actual stress levels indicated by the saliva samples.

To participate in this study, children must be between 7 and 17 years old, able to read and speak English, and be visiting the dental clinic for the first time for either pediatric or orthodontic care. Kids who have major health issues, a history of mental illness, or who are returning for a follow-up appointment are not eligible. Participants can expect a friendly environment where their comfort is prioritized, and their saliva samples will be collected in a simple and non-invasive way. This research could help improve how dental care is provided to young patients by better understanding their stress levels.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children between the ages of 7 and 17
• • Ability to read and speak English language
• • Patients seen for a first visit at the pediatric or orthodontic departments of the dental institute of the Multispecialty Clinic at Midwestern University with a scheduled future appointment to start treatment in the pediatric or orthodontic department
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Older than 17 years of age or younger than 7 years of age
• • Unable to read and speak English language
• • Have any major health conditions or history of mental illness
• • Being a returning patient in the pediatric or orthodontic department of the dental institute of the Multispecialty Clinic at Midwestern University
• • Taking any systemic medications that would cause a change in salivary flow (e.g., oxybutynin, protein pump inhibitors)