Socioeconomic and demographic disparities in symptoms of orofacial pain.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to document the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and the prevalence and impact of orofacial pain by anatomical location. In addition, differential effects of SES on orofacial pain across levels of sex, race, and age were documented.


METHODS
The subjects were 724 participants in the Florida Dental Care Study, a study of oral health among dentate adults, aged 45 years and older at baseline. Pain prevalence and subjective ratings were assessed for a range of orofacial pain sites using a standardized telephone interview.


RESULTS
Lower SES was associated with reporting pain and pain impact at many, but not all, of the orofacial sites. Some sex, race, and age cohort differences in orofacial pain were found when adjusting for differences in socioeconomic position. The most consistent result, as evidenced by similar findings across orofacial pain sites, was that the effects of SES on orofacial pain appear to have a sex-differentiated effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent with findings for other subjective measures of oral health, persons of lower SES are at increased risk for orofacial pain and pain-related behavioral impact.
Riley
Joseph L
JL
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0404, USA. jriley@dental.ufl.edu
Gilbert
Gregg H
GH
Heft
Marc W
MW
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003710:Demography; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007347:Insurance, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D014098:Toothache / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American