Influence of anxiety on blood pressure and heart rate during dental treatment

Authors

  • Jean Carlos Fernandes Goulart Centro Universitário de Rio Preto
  • Matheus Dias Pinheiro Centro Universitário de Rio Preto
  • Rodrigo Ventura Rodrigues Centro Universitário de Rio Preto
  • Fabiano Sant Ana Santos Centro Universitário da Fundação Educacional de Barretos
  • Alex Tadeu Martins Centro Universitário da Fundação Educacional de Barretos
  • Fábio Luiz Ferreira Scannavino Centro Universitário da Fundação Educacional de Barretos

Keywords:

Anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate, dental treatment

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of anxiety on blood pressure and heart rate during dental care in patients of the Dentistry Clinic in Rio Preto University Center - UNIRP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: A sample of 60 volunteers who sought for the dental screening service was selected. We used a scale to evaluate the volunteers’ anxiety level. Blood pressure and heart rate of patients were also checked in different periods of the dental treatment. Results: Most of the volunteers were women. The relation between anxiety and pain before treatment, revealed that 54 (90.0%) had no pain. The patients had low anxiety towards the use of different anesthetic solutions used during dental procedures. There was no statistically significant difference concerning to systolic blood pressure at first and, after application of anesthetic, given the degree of anxiety. Heart rate does not change as a function of anxiety. There is a slight change in heart rate after anesthesia, and it soon gets back to normal. Conclusion: There was no difference in behavior of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in relation to the anxiety level and pain, measured before, during and after the procedure. Heart rate did not change during dental treatment in the patient anxiety level.

Author Biographies

Jean Carlos Fernandes Goulart, Centro Universitário de Rio Preto

Cirurgião-Dentista – Curso de Odontologia do Centro Universitário de Rio Preto

Matheus Dias Pinheiro, Centro Universitário de Rio Preto

Cirurgião-Dentista – Curso de Odontologia do Centro Universitário de Rio Preto

Rodrigo Ventura Rodrigues, Centro Universitário de Rio Preto

Mestre – Professor do Curso de Odontologia do Centro Universitário de Rio Preto

Fabiano Sant Ana Santos, Centro Universitário da Fundação Educacional de Barretos

Doordenador Curso Odontologia do Centro Universitário da Fundação Educacional de Barretos

Alex Tadeu Martins, Centro Universitário da Fundação Educacional de Barretos

Doutor – Professor do Curso de Odontologia do Centro Universitário da Fundação Educacional de Barretos

Fábio Luiz Ferreira Scannavino, Centro Universitário da Fundação Educacional de Barretos

Doutor – Professor do Curso de Odontologia do Centro Universitário da Fundação Educacional de Barretos

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Published

2012-03-02

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Original Article

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