The practice and perception of pain assessment in US pediatric dentistry residency programs

The purpose of this study was to describe the current practice and perception of pain assessment in US accredited advanced pediatric dentistry residency programs, as reported by directors of these programs.

A questionnaire was sent out to 68 accredited US pediatric dentistry residency programs. Responses were statistically analyzed to find significant correlations between the actual practice of pain assessment and the perceived usefulness of pain assessment.

Forty-four surveys (65% response rate) were completed and returned. Sixty-eight percent of program directors stated that pain is assessed at all types of appointments. A statistically significant correlation exists between program directors who regard pain assessment scales as useful and those who teach the use of such resources in their programs (chi-square = 3.73, P = .05). A statistically significant correlation exists between program directors who regard preoperative pain assessment as clinically beneficial and those who report a need to place more emphasis on pain assessment (chi-square = 6.22, P = .01).

Pediatric dentistry residency program directors generally regard pain assessment as clinically beneficial in patient treatment. Implementing increased pain assessment teaching in pediatric dentistry residency programs could improve the confidence and skills of residents in assessing the pain of young children and those with special health care needs.