September 2016

Objective: To assess the prevalence of dental pain in the past year among adults in Tehran-Iran, and its determinants. Basic research design: Cross-sectional population study. Participants: A sample of 20,322 adults (18-64 years old). Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted across the 22 districts using the multi-stage random sampling method. Data were analysed applying the complex samples method. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to adjust the effects of other variables on the outcome variable as dental pain in the past year. Results: Overall, 19,645 individuals with a mean age of 39.9 (SD=12.5) years responded. Dental pain in the past year was reported by about one sixth (14%) of subjects and associated with being widowed/divorced (OR 1.45, 95%CI 1.07-1.97, p=0.016), married (OR 1.24, 95%CI 1.04-1.47, p=0.016), Azari minority (OR 1.2, 95%CI 1.05-1.37, p=0.009) and having dental visit in the past year (OR 2.6, 95%CI 2.29-2.95, p<0.001). Older subjects (OR 0.76, 95%CI 0.59-0.97, p= 0.029), those with a high economic status (OR 0.84, 95%CI 0.72-0.98, p=0.03), good (OR 0.75, 95%CI 0.58-0.96, p=0.023) or moderate oral health behaviour (OR 0.79, 95%CI 0.62-0.99, p=0.042), and good self-perceived oral health (OR 0.52, 95%CI 0.45-0.61, p<0.001) were less likely to report dental pain. Conclusions: Dental pain in the past year was associated with being married/widowed, being a minority, and visiting a dentist in the past year. Older subjects and those with a high socio-economic status, good/moderate oral health behaviour, and good self-perceived oral health were less likely to report dental pain. Key words: toothache, oral health, pain, adult, Iran