Comparative evaluation of pain rating scales for dental pain among the Saudi population: A cross-sectional study

Pain, being a subjective phenomenon, is perceived in different manner by individuals based on various factors including age and gender. Various scales are available in literature to assess and record the pain perceived by an individual. Comparison of commonly used pain perception scales among Saudi Arabian population is scarce. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 180 subjects who were belonging to 2 age groups namely 7 to 16 years (group 1; n = 90) and 51 to 60 years (group II; n = 90). Subjects with dental pain of pulpal origin were included by employing consecutive sampling. The included participants were asked to record the severity of pain using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Wong Baker facial pain rating scale (WBS) in a computer-generated random order. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. t test was used to compare the pain score recorded using VAS and WBS among males and females. The correlation between VAS and WBS was also assessed. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All subjects who participated responded to both the pain perception scales. No difference was found between males and females in the pain perception recorded using VAS and WBS in both the groups. A strong positive correlation was found between VAS and WBS score which was found to be statistically significant in both the groups. Both VAS and WBS are reliable tool to record pain perception in both age groups. WBS is found to be easier and more convenient one.