Patients from lower-income backgrounds or whose mothers have less formal education may be at a greater risk of experiencing dental pain, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Dentistry.
Understanding these disparities may help providers and policymakers focus on high-risk groups and introduce early oral health interventions to reduce long-term dental health inequities, the authors wrote.
“This study identified distinct dental pain trajectories in the life course showing that early-life socioeconomic inequalities, particularly lower maternal education and family income at birth, were significantly associated with a high dental pain trajectory,” wrote the authors, led by André Luiz Rodrigues Mello of the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil (J Dent, December 5, 2025, Vol. 165, 106285).
The study analyzed data from a perinatal study and oral health assessments conducted at ages 24, 31, and 40 among participants in a birth cohort in Brazil. In 1982, 5,914 live births in three maternity hospitals were recorded, with newborn measurements taken, and mothers interviewed about socioeconomic, demographic, and health factors.
A total of 607 individuals were included in the final analysis. Participants were followed prospectively, with maternal education and family income information collected at birth. Furthermore, dental pain was assessed at ages 24, 31, and 40 using standardized questions about recent tooth pain.
Overall dental pain prevalence was 22.6% at the age of 24, increased to 31.6% at age 31, and declined to 23% at age 40. Lower family income and lower maternal schooling at birth were significantly linked to more severe dental pain trajectories over time. For family income, inequalities were substantial, with a slope index of inequality (SII) of -17.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.1 to -3.8; p = 0.012) and a concentration index (CIX) of -6.2 (95% CI: 11.0 to -1.3; p = 0.013).
Additionally, maternal schooling showed significant disparities, reflected by an SII of -15.2 (95% CI: 29.4 to -0.9; p = 0.036). The corresponding CIX for maternal schooling was -5.6 (95% CI: 10.4 to -0.7; p = 0.024), confirming persistent socioeconomic inequalities.
The study, however, had limitations. Participant attrition over the long follow-up reduced the sample size and may have introduced income-related selection bias, the authors added.
“This study reinforces the need for public policies aimed at reducing inequalities and promoting oral health in disadvantaged populations,” Mello and colleagues concluded.
