Dental pain in adult and elderly homeless people: Prevalence, associated factors, and impact on the quality of life in Midwest Brazil.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with dental pain and its impact on the quality of life of adult and elderly homeless people in Midwest Brazil.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 353 individuals aged ≥18 attending a public homeless shelter in a Brazilian state capital (Goiânia). Data on sociodemographic, psychosocial, drug use and oral health-related factors, and quality of life [Oral Impact on Daily Performance scale (OIDP)] were collected through interviews. Pearson's Chi-square tests and robust Poisson regression were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dental pain in the past 6 months was 50 percent. Most of the respondents reported very severe pain and self-management including medication and tooth extraction. In the adjusted regression, the prevalence of pain was 1.48 times higher among individuals who last visited the dentist within the past 2 years, compared to those who had visited more than 2 years ago; and nearly five times higher among those with a perceived need for dental treatment, compared to those with no need. The prevalence of oral impact on daily performance was 80.1 percent and the most affected activities were "difficulty eating" and "feeling ashamed to smile or speak." The adjusted prevalence of impact was higher among individuals who had dental pain, regardless of their sociodemographic characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence, intensity, and self-management of dental pain were high among the Brazilian homeless people studied. Reporting of pain was associated with factors related to dental care and negatively affected their quality of life.