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Relations between dental and somatic pain in children
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel.
International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
|April 23, 2010
Summary
Children experiencing dental pain frequently report stomachaches, possibly due to increased anxiety related to dental treatment. This study explored pain connections in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Child Psychology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Somatic and dental pain are common in children.
- Understanding the relationship between different pain types can improve diagnosis and treatment.
- Pediatric dental clinics serve a diverse population of children experiencing various health concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between somatic pain complaints and dental pain in children.
- To identify specific somatic pain symptoms that co-occur with dental pain.
- To explore potential psychological factors, such as anxiety, linking these pain types.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 79 children (aged 4-13) attending a pediatric dental clinic participated.
- Data collection included parent-reported demographics and child-reported dental pain experiences (frequency, timing, actions taken).
- Children completed a Pain Rating Scale to assess subjective pain intensity across various body parts.
Main Results:
- Headaches, stomachaches, and leg pains were commonly reported somatic complaints.
- Younger children (4-7 years) reported more ear and stomach pains than older children (8-13 years).
- Children with dental pain were significantly more likely to report stomachaches. Firstborn/second children had less current dental pain than later-born children.
Conclusions:
- Children experiencing dental pain exhibit a higher prevalence of stomachaches compared to those without dental pain.
- This association may be linked to heightened anxiety in children facing dental procedures.
- Further research is warranted to explore the psychosomatic links between dental pain and somatic complaints in pediatric populations.
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