Salivary cortisol, salivary alpha amylase, and the dental anxiety scale

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between dental anxiety, salivary cortisol, and salivary alpha amylase (sAA) levels. Furthermore, the aim was to look into individual differences such as age, race, gender, any existing pain, or traumatic dental experience and their effect on dental anxiety. This study followed a cross-sectional design and included a convenience sample of 46. Every patient was asked to complete the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and a basic demographic/dental history questionnaire. A saliva sample, utilizing the method of passive drooling, was then collected in 2-mL cryovials. Samples were analyzed for salivary cortisol and sAA levels by Salimetrics. Significant associations were observed between DAS scores and presence of pain and history of traumatic dental experience. However, no significant correlations were observed between DAS, cortisol, and sAA levels. Our study reconfirms that dental anxiety is associated with presence of pain and a history of traumatic dental experience. On the other hand, our study was the first to our knowledge to test the correlation between the DAS and sAA; nevertheless, our results failed to show any significant correlation between dental anxiety, cortisol, and sAA levels.

Figure 1.

Basic demographics of sample: gender (dark gray = M, light gray = F), race (dark gray = white, light gray = nonwhite), traumatic experience (dark gray = no , light gray = yes), pain (dark gray = no, light gray = yes).

Figure 2.

Scatter plot showing Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) correlation with age (y). r = −0.193, P = .199.

Figure 3.

Scatter plot showing Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) correlation with salivary alpha amylase (sAA) (U/mL). r = −0.045, P = .766.

Figure 4.

Scatter plot showing Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) correlation with salivary alpha amylase (sAA) output (U/min). r = −0.162, P = .282.

Figure 5.

Scatter plot showing Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) correlation with salivary cortisol (μg/dL). r = 0.126, P = .403.

Figure 6.

Scatter plot showing salivary alpha amylase (sAA) correlation (U/mL) with sAA output (U/min). r = 0.630, P < .001.

Figure 7.

Scatter plot showing correlation between salivary alpha amylase (sAA) (U/mL) and flow rate (mL/min). r = 0.126, P= .404.

Figure 8.

Scatter plot showing salivary alpha amylase (sAA) (U/mL) correlation with volume collected (mL). r = 0.394, P = .007.