부산대학교 도서관

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the association between dental pain and severity of dental caries (caries morbidity stages) and the impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in preschool children.Methods: A cross-sectional study with 199 children (2–5 years old) enrolled at preschools in Capão do Leão-RS, Brazil. The self-report of mothers of children with a history of dental pain in the last 6 months and perception of their child’s OHRQoL (ECOHIS) were obtained through a structured questionnaire. This questionnaire also collected independent variables. Children’s oral examination was performed using the CAST instrument to determine caries morbidity stage. Crude and adjusted Poisson regression analysis was performed.Results: The prevalence of dental pain was 14.57%. The chance of the occurrence of dental pain was higher among children diagnosed in morbidity [Prevalence ratio—PR: 5.29 (95% confidence interval—95% CI 1.91–14.61); p = 0.001] and severe morbidity [RP = 6.12 (95 CI% 2.25–16.64); p < 0.001] stages. Children with dental pain presented higher scores in the total ECOHIS [rate ratio = 7.11 (95% CI 4.55–11.09); p < 0.001] and in all of the domains of this instrument. Furthermore, children with a history of dental trauma [PR = 2.41 (95% CI 1.15–5.04); p < 0.001] and those whose reason for last visit to the dental office was for restorative/endodontic/extraction treatment [PR = 1.29 (95% CI 1.01–6.19); p = 0.049] had a higher prevalence of dental pain.Conclusion: A substantial prevalence of dental pain in the last 6 months and negative impact on children’s OHRQoL was identified in this sample. Children diagnosed with carious dentin lesions and abscess and fistula were more likely to have dental pain.