Factors associated with dental pain in toddlers detected using the dental discomfort questionnaire.

Abstract

Dental pain is one of the most common symptoms of untreated oral problems and exerts a strong impact on the well-being of children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associated factors with dental pain in children aged 1-3 years using the Brazilian version of the Dental Discomfort Questionnaire (DDQ-B). A cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Diamantina, Brazil. A total of 318 randomly selected children were submitted to an oral clinical examination for the evaluation of tooth injuries and dental caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System, [ICDAS]). The caregivers of the children were asked to answer the DDQ-B as well as a questionnaire addressing demographic and socioeconomic aspects of the family. Statistical analysis was performed and involved the description of frequencies as well as Poisson hierarchical regression analysis. Dental pain was associated with a household income less than the Brazilian minimum monthly wage (Prevalence ratios [PRs] = 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.66, P = 0.011) and dental caries in dentin - ICDAS codes 5 and 6 (PR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.13-1.94, P = 0.004). Greater frequencies of dental pain were found in 1-3-year-old children from families with a low monthly income and dental caries with visible dentin with or without pulp involvement.