Tay K, Beh CLJ, Babar MG, Kweh TJ, Priya E, Pau A. Racial variations in tooth pain and care-seeking in adolescents in Malaysia.
BDJ Open 2021;
7:2. [PMID:
33469006 PMCID:
PMC7815706 DOI:
10.1038/s41405-021-00058-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective
Tooth pain among adolescents is a common event that impacts substantially on quality of life. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of race in the tooth pain experience and associated care-seeking.
Design
A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 14–18 years from four different public schools in Kuala Lumpur. Socio-demographic, pain symptoms, and social impacts data were collected as well as medication use and visiting a dentist for tooth pain.
Results
Of 1473 questionnaires distributed, 1452 (98.6%) completed questionnaires were returned, with 269 (18.5%) reported having experienced tooth pain in the past 1 month. Those who identified as Indian (26.1%) were more likely to report tooth pain compared to Chinese (16.5%) and Malay (20.9%). In regression analysis, no factors were identified as independently associated with medication use, but Chinese and Indians compared to Malays, and those expressing difficulty sleeping were more likely to report visiting a dentist for treatment.
Conclusion
Racial variations in the tooth pain experience and care-seeking have been identified. This may be related to socio-economic status, but further research is needed on the role of culture-related care-seeking and accessibility of dental services.
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