Tal Ratson1, Benjamin Peretz. 1. Department of Paediatric Dentistry, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Children suffer from somatic and dental pain, which may interfere with their everyday life. Pain self-report tools are available for children. Research is needed to better understand the perception of dental pain in comparison with pain in other organs. AIM: To investigate relations between the perceptions of dental and somatic pain complaints among school-age children. DESIGN: One hundred and two children, aged 7-17 years (mean age, 11.5 ± 2.65 years), completed questioners regarding their somatic and dental: 1. Memory pain rank (MPR) and 2. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (FRS). RESULTS: Children reported increased dental pain after school in both scales (P = 0.015 in MPR). In both MPR and FRS, the pattern of pain ranking was similar: Abdominal pain was scored highest (2.75 ± 1.4 and 1.56 ± 1.63, respectively), followed by headache, ear, dental and TMJ (Temporomandibular joint). CONCLUSION: There was a strong correlation between pain perception and current pain scores in every organ. Somatic pain, namely head, abdomen and ears, was ranked significantly higher than dental and TMJ pain. School-aged children rank current pain and pain experience significantly lower while they are pre-occupied (school time) in comparison with times when they are less busy (after school time).
BACKGROUND:Children suffer from somatic and dental pain, which may interfere with their everyday life. Pain self-report tools are available for children. Research is needed to better understand the perception of dental pain in comparison with pain in other organs. AIM: To investigate relations between the perceptions of dental and somatic pain complaints among school-age children. DESIGN: One hundred and two children, aged 7-17 years (mean age, 11.5 ± 2.65 years), completed questioners regarding their somatic and dental: 1. Memory pain rank (MPR) and 2. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (FRS). RESULTS:Children reported increased dental pain after school in both scales (P = 0.015 in MPR). In both MPR and FRS, the pattern of pain ranking was similar: Abdominal pain was scored highest (2.75 ± 1.4 and 1.56 ± 1.63, respectively), followed by headache, ear, dental and TMJ (Temporomandibular joint). CONCLUSION: There was a strong correlation between pain perception and current pain scores in every organ. Somatic pain, namely head, abdomen and ears, was ranked significantly higher than dental and TMJ pain. School-aged children rank current pain and pain experience significantly lower while they are pre-occupied (school time) in comparison with times when they are less busy (after school time).
Authors: Sabine Rienhoff; Christian H Splieth; Jacobus S J Veerkamp; Jan Rienhoff; Janneke B Krikken; Guglielmo Campus; Thomas Gerhard Wolf Journal: Children (Basel) Date: 2022-04-25