Evaluating the Effects of Psychological Stress on Salivary Biomarkers in Pediatric Patients Visiting Pediatric and General Dental Clinic

Launched by AL-MUSTANSIRIYAH UNIVERSITY · Apr 5, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how psychological stress affects young children during their first visit to the dentist. Researchers will measure two substances in the saliva—cortisol, which is a stress hormone, and alpha amylase, which can indicate stress levels. The study will involve 80 boys aged 4 to 6 years old who are visiting either a specialized pediatric dental clinic or a general dental clinic. The goal is to see how the different environments and attitudes of the dentists might influence the children's stress levels.

To participate in this study, children must be male, between 4 and 6 years old, and visiting the dentist for the first time, with no serious health conditions. During the visit, two saliva samples will be taken: one when they first arrive at the clinic and another half an hour later, after their initial examination but before any treatment. This research aims to better understand how dental visits can be stressful for young children and how different settings may impact that stress.

Gender

MALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • male
• • 4-6 years old
• • first dental visit
• • patients with no systemic disease
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • medically compressed patient
• • patients with systemic disease