RESUMO
Different dental procedures in children undergoing treatment can induce changes in blood pressure. These changes will be minimized if psychological treatment is applied prior to any procedure. The objective of this study was to determine changes in blood pressure (systolic-diastolic) in children undergoing psychological treatment before dental procedures. The population studied consisted of 100 children and adolescents, ages 6 to 15 years. The patients were assigned to two groups at random, i.e. with or without psychological treatment before dental procedures. Behavior management was carried out applying the tell-show-do technique of conduct handling. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured prior to the initiation of the treatment, during drilling, restoring, and before dismissing the patient. The no-psychological treatment group exhibited significant differences in diastolic and systolic blood pressures during the dental procedure whereas the psychological treatment group evidenced no significant differences in blood pressure. No correlation was found between the alterations of blood pressure and the type of dental treatment performed. The application of the tell-show-do method would have an effect on the blood pressure in patients undergoing dental procedures.
