Abstract

ALEXANDRE, Gisele Caldas; NADANOVSKY, Paulo; LOPES, Claudia S.  and  FAERSTEIN, Eduardo. Prevalence and factors associated with dental pain that prevents the performance of routine tasks by civil servants in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cad. Saúde Pública [online]. 2006, vol.22, n.5, pp. 1073-1078. ISSN 0102-311X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2006000500020.

The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of dental pain preventing the performance of routine tasks and to assess its association with socioeconomic factors, minor psychiatric disorders, number of missing teeth, and dental consultation patterns. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-completed questionnaire answered by 4,030 administrative employees at a university in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (the Pró-Saúde Study). Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Prevalence of toothache preventing the performance of routine tasks in the two weeks prior to the interview was 2.9% (95%CI: 2.5-3.6). Men (OR = 1.6; 95%CI: 1.1-2.4), individuals with minor psychiatric disorders (OR = 1.7; 95%CI: 1.2-2.6), individuals with extensive tooth loss (OR = 3.4; 95%CI: 1.5-7.8), and those failing to appear for regular dental checkups (OR = 2.5; 95%CI: 1.8-17.3) showed increased odds of experiencing dental pain. Dental pain was an important problem in this population. Unfavorable living conditions and lack of regular dental checkups increased the odds of dental pain.

Keywords : Oral Health; Toothache; Mental Disorders; Office Visits.