Toothache among Dental Patients Attending a Nigerian Secondary Healthcare Setting

Objective: To assess the pain intensity and oral health practices among dental patients attending a Nigerian secondary healthcare setting with toothache. 

Method: This study was a prospective study of adult patients attending the dental clinic of Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Interviewer-administered questionnaire which elicited information include demography, pain intensity using visual analogue, tooth brushing behaviour and previous dental treatment was the tool of data collection.

Result: Majority of the respondents were males and young adults. More than half (60.5%) of the respondents reported pain of moderate to severe intensity and 42.1% have been engaged in self medication for the toothache. More than one-third (34.2%) had experienced the pain for ≥ four weeks and the major factor that prompted the decision to visit dentist were unbearable nature of the pain and sleep disturbances. Almost half (46.2%) of the respondents had previously visited the dentist and the common received treatment was tooth extraction. A total of 57.9% of the respondents indulge in twice-daily tooth cleaning.

Conclusion: Data from this study revealed that respondents with toothache had history of dental visit and visited dental clinic when the pain is unbearable and disturbed sleep. There is a need for proper patient education at any encounter with dentist.