Factors Associated with Dental Pain in Toddlers – Using Dental Discomfort Questionnaire (DDQ)

Abstract

Dental pain is considered as one the most common symptoms associated with oral problems. It creates a great impact on the quality of life and if it gets worse, it may even affect the daily activities. In neonates and toddlers, behavioural and psychological variations are used to assess pain. The aims of this study are to evaluate the factors associated with dental pain in toddlers using DDQ. To compare dental pain and dental caries evaluated using ICDAS. To compare the frequency of dental pain and socio-economic status of parents. A cross sectional study was conducted in Saveetha Dental College Chennai, Tamilnadu. 93 children of the age group 1-4 years (toddlers) were submitted to an oral clinical examination for the evaluation of dental caries using International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). The caregivers of the children were asked to fill a dental discomfort questionnaire along with a questionnaire addressing their socio-economic and educational status . The factors "chewing on one side" and "reaching the cheek while chewing are the common associated factors of pain which were observed by the parents and caretakers of the children. Pain scores were higher in patients with caries involving dentin, with or without involving pulp (scores 4 and above). Families with low annual income had increased pain scores. Greater frequencies of pain were observed in families with low income and also in dental caries involving dentin with/without involving pulp.