Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effect of dental pain on the quality of patients life. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 150 patients presenting to the dental clinic of Kerman Dental School in 2017, complaining of dental pain. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect the demographic information of patients and data regarding the type, intensity, and duration of dental pain. After filling out the questionnaire, 30 patients were randomly asked to show up again one month after the treatment, and fill out the same questionnaire for the second time. Data was analyzed by the Chi-square test and t-test (alpha=0.05). Results and discussion: The response rate was 92.3%. The mean duration of pain was 3.6±2.3 months. Of all, 97 patients reported that dental pain changed their lifestyle. The most common changes were reported in sleeping, eating, walking, and driving. The severity of pain had significant correlations with age and gender (P=0.01). The mean acquired score was 69.9±12.2 out of 140. Pain severity was significantly correlated with the questionnaire score (P=0.001). Conclusions: Dental pain can adversely affect sleep quality and eating. Extraction of painful tooth resulted in complete resolution of pain and improved the quality of life in 100% of patients, while root canal treatment, pulpotomy, and pulpectomy resulted in over 70% patient satisfaction.
Keywords:- quality of life
- surveys and questionnaires
- therapy
- toothache