Bridging the Gap in Orofacial Pain Assessment for Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review of Validated Tools

Abstract

Aims: Systematically review the literature to answer the focused question: “What is the best way to facilitate pain communication for patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) in dental care?”. Methods: A systematic search strategy was conducted in five databases and gray literature. Studies evaluating pain communication in dental care for patients with ID were included. The risk of bias was assessed according to the Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument. Results: A total of 1525 studies were screened, and after applying exclusion criteria, 10 articles remained. The included studies were published between 2003 and 2021, with sample sizes ranging from 28 to 270 participants with developmental disabilities. The Dental Discomfort Questionnaire (DDQ) was the most commonly used tool in the studies. Most studies showed a low risk of bias. Conclusion: The DDQ is the most validated tool for assessing dental pain in individuals with ID, though evidence in adults is limited. Other tools provide useful behavioral cues but may not clearly differentiate pain from discomfort or anxiety. The absence of a gold standard underscores the need for context-appropriate tool selection and clinician training to interpret nonverbal pain, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and promoting equitable care.