Predictors of Intra-Operative and Post-Operative Pain Associated with Routine Dental Procedures in Children: A...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Pain Management
• Dental Anesthesiology

Background:

• Understanding pain predictors in pediatric dental procedures is crucial for cooperation and avoiding general anesthesia.
• Identifying factors influencing intra-operative and post-operative pain is essential for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictors of intra-operative and post-operative pain in children undergoing routine dental procedures.
• To analyze the impact of dental procedures and anxiety on children's pain perception.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of observational studies with meta-analysis and meta-regression.
• Searches conducted across multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, etc.).
• NIH Quality Assessment Tool used; pain measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Main Results:

• Dental extractions predicted the highest intra-operative pain (Mean VAS Difference [MD] 46.51 mm).
• Pain scores for extractions were significantly higher than polishing (MD = 23.80 mm, p=0.012).
• Highly anxious children reported significantly higher pain scores (MD = 12.31 mm, p=0.001) compared to less anxious children.

Conclusions:

• Dental extractions and drilling are key predictors of intra-operative pain in pediatric dental procedures.
• High anxiety levels in children correlate with increased pain perception during dental treatments.
• Future research should focus on interventions to reduce pain, improve compliance, and decrease the need for general anesthesia.