Vital signs changes during manual and ultrasonic scaling

Abstract

Background: Blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR) are important vital signs for basic body performance. In spite of the effect of dental anxiety on vital signs, other cofactors should also be considered. Aims: The study aimed to investigate vital signs measurements changes before and after ultrasonic and manual scaling, andto investigate the effect of other cofactors such as waiting time, and route of attending the dental clinic. Settings and Design:A cross-sectional design study. Methods and Methods: Two-hundred and forty patients were enrolled in this study. The waiting time before the clinical session, and the route by which the patient reached the clinic were determined.Whereas, BP and PR were measured at the clinical session before and after scaling. Statistical analysis used: Paired t-test was used in this study. Results: A significant reduction in PR among patients after receiving scaling was observed. Moreover, a significant reduction in PR was observed in those patients who didn’t wait prior treatment, reached the clinic via stairs, and received ultrasonic scaling. Before and after scaling non-significant change in BP of the patients was observed. However, the reduction in systolic BP after scaling was non-significant when the patient reached the clinic via elevator, while there was a significant reduction in systolic BP when the patient used stairs. Conclusions: Scaling might reduce patient dental anxiety.Additionally,the waiting time before the clinical session and the route by which the patient reached the clinic could also reduce relative changes in BP and PR. Key-words: blood pressure, periodontal disease, dental anxiety. How to cite this article: Alsagban AA, Jassim TK, et al (2021): Vital signs changes during manual and ultrasonic scaling, Ann Trop Med & Public Health; 24(S2): SP24242. DOI: http://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2021.24242 sagban et al (2021): Vital signs in manual and ultrasonic scaling Feb 2021 Vol. 24 Issue 2 Annals of Tropical Medicine & Public Health http://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2021.24242 Key Messages: (i) What is already known; Scaling is associated with dental anxiety which is a stress factor that was found to have an impact on vital signs. (ii) What the research adds; This study investigated how much time was spent in the waiting room prior to scaling and the route by which the patient reached clinic i.e. stairs or elevator. (iii) What methodology was adopted; A cross-sectional clinical study design. (iv) What are the limitations and suggestions for future studies; Future studies are suggested toinvestigate other variables and increasing the number of participants.