Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of oral health-related shame and the associated factors among 8-to-10-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 388 children randomly selected from public and private schools of Diamantina, southeastern Brazil. In order to identify the feeling of shame, self-reports were collected through a single question, “In the last month, did you feel ashamed because of your teeth or mouth? Two calibrated examiners performed the clinical examination for dental caries (DMFT/dmft index), traumatic dental injuries (O’ Brien), and malocclusion (Dental Aesthetic Index). Sociodemographic indicators were obtained through a questionnaire answered by the children’s caregivers. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and hierarchical Poisson regression models were performed (95%CI; p < 0.05). The prevalence of shame was 38.1% (n = 148). The adjusted regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between shame and untreated dental caries (PR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.04–1.74; p = 0.02), age of 10 years (PR: 1.36; 95%CI: 1.05–1.76; p = 0.01), and with parents with less than eight years of schooling (PR: 1.30; 95%CI: 1.00–1.68; p = 0.04). Older children with untreated dental caries and whose parents had lower education level presented a higher prevalence of oral health-related shame.

Resumo Introdução Atualmente, diferentes escalas têm sido utilizadas para medir a dor no contexto clínico, especialmente na prática odontológica. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as escalas de dor comumente utilizadas em pesquisas clínicas e na prática clínica odontológica, identificando as mais fáceis de serem compreendidas pelos pacientes com hipersensibilidade dentinária cervical. Método Setenta e quatro pacientes com hipersensibilidade dentinária cervical foram estimulados por um teste térmico para avaliação do dente sensível, seguido pela aplicação de diferentes escalas para avaliação de dor (Escala Visual Analógica, Faces de Dor, Escala Numérica e Escala Verbal) e de um questionário complementar para avaliar a percepção do paciente em relação à facilidade de compreensão das escalas. Os resultados foram submetidos aos testes de correlação de Wilcoxon, Spearman e Qui-Quadrado. Resultados Uma forte correlação positiva foi encontrada entre as quatro escalas avaliadas (r = 0,798 a 0,960; p < 0,001). De acordo com os pacientes, a escala de mais fácil compreensão foi a Escala Verbal (52,7%). Conclusão As escalas para mensuração da dor fornecem informações semelhantes sobre a dor relatada na hipersensibilidade dentinária cervical. A afinidade do paciente pela escala de dor pode direcionar a escolha da escala a ser utilizada na prática clínica odontológica nos diversos níveis de atenção à saúde.

Abstract Background Currently, different pain scales are used extensively to measure clinical pain, especially in dental practice. Objective This study aims to compare pain scales used in clinical research and dental practice, identifying the easiest to understand by patients with Cervical Dentin Hypersensitivity. Method Seventy-four patients with Cervical Dentin Hypersensitivity were stimulated by a thermic test of the sensitive tooth, followed by application of different pain measurement scales (Visual Analogue Scale, Faces Pain Scales, Numeric Rating Scale, and Verbal Rating Scale) and by a questionnaire to evaluate the patient's perception regarding the ease of understanding scales. The statistic tests used were the Wilcoxon, Spearman correlation, and Chi-Square tests. Results The results founded a strong positive correlation between the scales (r = 0.798 to 0.960 p <0.001). The was easiest scale to understand according to the patients was the Verbal Rating Scale (52.7%). Conclusion The pain measurement scales evaluated provide similar information about pain reported in the Cervical Dentin Hypersensitivity allowing the comparison between studies that used them to measure pain. The affinity of the patient with the pain scale can guide the clinical dental practice in the different levels of health care.