Diagnostics (Dec 2023)

Total Antioxidant Capacity of Saliva and Its Correlation with pH Levels among Dental Students under Different Stressful Conditions

  • Christoph Schwarz,
  • Octavia Balean,
  • Ramona Dumitrescu,
  • Paula Diana Ciordas,
  • Catalin Marian,
  • Marius Georgescu,
  • Vanessa Bolchis,
  • Ruxandra Sava-Rosianu,
  • Aurora Doris Fratila,
  • Iulia Alexa,
  • Daniela Jumanca,
  • Atena Galuscan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13243648
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 24
p. 3648

Abstract

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(1) Background: This cross-sectional study conducted at the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Timisoara, Romania, between December 2022 and February 2023 aims to assess salivary total antioxidant capacity and pH levels in dental students experiencing non-stressful and stressful situations and explore potential correlations between these factors. (2) Methods: Saliva samples were collected during two different periods: before an Oral Health course and before the Oral Health exam, under stressful conditions. Ethical principles were followed, and informed consent was obtained. Data on age, gender, health status, drug use, smoking habits, and anxiety levels were recorded. Saliva was collected using the draining method and pH was measured using indicator paper strips. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was determined using a commercial assay kit. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test to compare pH and TAC between study groups, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to analyze the correlation between salivary pH and TAC within each group, with p N = 80, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: There are variations in saliva’s antioxidant capacity in response to different stress conditions. Dental students experienced a higher level of stress before academic assessments compared to the non-stress period during the course.

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