The prevalence and severity of dental pain in 14-15 year old Brazilian schoolchildren

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of dental pain and associated factors in Brazilian schoolchildren.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Recife, Brazil. The data were collected through questionnaires, personal interviews and clinical dental examinations of a random sample of 14-15 years old schoolchildren. The prevalence of dental pain and its characteristics were recorded using standard measures of pain. Dental caries, dental trauma and dental plaque were assessed using WHO criteria. Multiple logistic and ordinal polytomous regression were used to assess which factors were associated with the dental pain outcomes.

Results: 1,052 individuals participated in the study. The prevalence of reported toothache in schoolchildren in the last six months was 33.6% (31.1-36.8, 95% CI). The fully adjusted regression models showed a significant relationship between lower social class, later birth order, failure at school and attendance at the dentist only when in trouble with both the prevalence and severity of dental pain. The major predictor of the prevalence and severity of pain was pattern of dental attendance (p<0.001).

Conclusions: The prevalence of toothache in 14-15 years old schoolchildren was high. The major predictor of the prevalence and severity of pain was the pattern of dental attendance.