Impacts of dental pain on daily activities of adolescents aged 14-15 years and their families

Objective. To assess the prevalence and severity of dental pain on the daily lives of adolescents and their families in Brazil, and, in terms of socio-economic status, whether there are differences in the prevalence of impacts. Material and Methods. In a cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 14 to 15-year-olds in Brazil, the prevalence and severity of dental pain, and how dental pain affects daily functioning, were assessed using a child-related questionnaire. A family-related questionnaire included questions on a child pain inventory and the pain-related impacts on the daily lives of the child's family members. Results. 14.5% of children reported high impact levels on their daily lives related to dental pain, the more so among girls than among boys, i.e. 16.7% compared to 11.6%. Significantly more impacts occurred in lower socio-economic class children than in higher, i.e. 19.7% versus 7.8%. The prevalence of impacts among children who reported dental pain (n = 354) was high; 64.7% reporting that concentration at school was affected, 55.6% that home activities were affected, and 51.4% that leisure activities were affected. There was a significant relationship between impacts of dental pain on children and families. Overall prevalence of impacts on children's families was 15.2%. The most frequent family dimensions affected were: in carrying out normal household activities (19.7%) and in visiting friends and relatives (17.7%). Emotional stability was the most frequent psychological activity dimension affected (14.1%); 9.6% of parents were woken up as a result of their child's dental pain on an average of 3.7 nights per week. Conclusions. Dental pain has considerable impact on the daily lives of adolescents and their families in Brazil. There are many more dental pain-related impacts in girls and in lower social class children.