EFFECT OF DENTAL TREATMENT ON THE LUNG-FUNCTION OF CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA

In this preliminary study, the authors evaluated whether dental treatm ent can trigger a reaction in the hyperactive airways of children with asthma, thereby affecting lung function. They also examined the varia bles, if any, that predict a change in lung function in relation to de ntal treatment. They tested the lung function of 57 6- to 18-year-old subjects with histories of active asthma, using spirometry before, imm ediately after and 30 minutes after routine dental treatment. Results revealed a statistically significant decrease (P < .05) in lung functi on and a clinically significant decrease in lung function in approxima tely 15 percent of the subjects.