Dental pain, socioeconomic status, and dental caries in young male adults from southern Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess dental pain prevalence and its association with dental caries and socioeconomic status in 18-year-old males from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a random sample (n = 414) selected from the Brazilian Army conscription list in 2003. Dental pain during the 12 months prior to the interview was recorded as the outcome. Socioeconomic data were obtained through a questionnaire. Dental caries experience was registered according to the DMFT Index. Analyses included simple and multiple non-conditional logistic regression following a hierarchical approach. Response rate was 95.6%. High rates of inter-examiner agreement were achieved (kappa > 0.83). Dental pain prevalence was 21.2% (95%CI: 17.3-25.1). After adjustment, individuals with one or more untreated caries were 3.2 times more likely (95%CI: 1.7-5.8) to have dental pain compared to caries-free subjects. Conscripts with low family income were 1.8 times more likely (95%CI: 1.0-3.3) to have dental pain than those with higher income.

Dental pain and associated factors in Brazilian preschoolers

“…, 26 The prevalence of dental pain was higher among preschoolers with one or more teeth with caries. This association was to be expected, since pain is one of the symptoms of tooth decay, and was also identified among adolescents5 and adults 9. A previous cohort study, with preschool children aged 5 years in Pelotas (RS - Brazil), observed that individuals with caries had a greater chance (4.8 times) of having dental pain 26.…”

“…Among the types of orofacial pain, those of dental origin have been reported as the most frequent,5 may affect social interaction, daily activities,6 and may have a negative impact on quality of life 78 It should be noted that the perception of pain may be influenced by knowledge and beliefs of the individuals, as well as by the cultural and social environment in which they live 910 Different factors have been associated with the presence and perception of dental pain, such as low socioeconomic status,9 dental caries,11 food-related difficulties, and sleep disorders 6.…”

“…, 8 It should be noted that the perception of pain may be influenced by knowledge and beliefs of the individuals, as well as by the cultural and social environment in which they live 910 Different factors have been associated with the presence and perception of dental pain, such as low socioeconomic status,9 dental caries,11 food-related difficulties, and sleep disorders 6. Moreover, its occurrence has been identified as one of the main reasons for seeking dental care 2…”

Dor nos dentes e gengivas e fatores associados em adolescentes brasileiros: análise do inquérito nacional de saúde bucal SB-Brasil 2002-2003

“…A associação entre condição sócio-econô-mica e dor nos dentes e gengivas foi verificada no presente estudo, corroborando com estudos anteriores 2,18,19 . Entretanto, tal associação não é consenso na literatura científica 20 .…”

“…A cárie pode ser considerada uma das principais causas da dor de origem dentária. A associação positiva entre cárie e dor de dente foi encontrada no presente estudo concordando com outras pesquisas 18,26 . Dentre as condições clínicas analisadas, a prevalência da dor nos dentes foi maior entre os indivíduos com mais de quatro dentes cariados e com, pelo menos, uma perda dentária por causa de cárie.…”