Dental pain among children aged 8 to 11 and associated factors: a population-based study

TL;DR

This study found that dental pain is common among children aged 8–11 in Brazil and is linked to dental restorations, treatment needs, and negative oral health perceptions.

Contribution

The study identifies specific sociodemographic and dental factors associated with dental pain in children using population-based data.

Findings

70.6% of children reported experiencing dental pain at least once.

Children with dental restorations or treatment needs were more likely to report dental pain.

Negative oral health perceptions by guardians were linked to increased odds of dental pain.

Abstract

This study aimed to identify factors associated with dental pain among schoolchildren in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 627 children aged 8–11 years were assessed through questionnaires and clinical examinations in both public and private schools. We employed a complex, probabilistic, two-stage cluster sampling method involving schools and classes. The sample size was calculated assuming a 50% prevalence of events or diseases, a 95% confidence level, a 5.0% margin of error, a design effect (deff) of 1.5, and a 15% non-response rate. The dependent variable, dental pain, was assessed by asking: “Have you ever had a toothache in your life?” with possible responses of “No” or “Yes.” The independent variables included sociodemographic factors and dental history. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR). Approximately 70.6% of the children reported having experienced dental pain at least once in their lives. In the final model, the likelihood of having experienced dental pain was higher among children who had either deciduous or permanent teeth restored (OR = 1.99; 95%IC: 1.19–3.29), who had a normative need for dental treatment (OR = 3.00; 95%IC: 1.96–4.58), and whose guardians perceived their oral health negatively (OR = 1.81; 95%IC: 1.19–2.75). Dental pain is a significant oral health issue among children. This pain was associated with both unfavorable normative assessments and subjective perceptions of oral health, underscoring the importance of preventive and promotive strategies for children’s oral health.