Dental local anesthesia in Family Health Units: use, pain and associated factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In spite of the relevance of controlling pain during dental procedures and of the fundamental role of Family Health Units in the Brazilian health system, there are few studies integrating both subjects. So, this study aimed at analyzing some aspects of dental anesthesia in Family Health Units of the city of Caruaru-PE. METHODS: We have interviewed 372 adolescent and adult patients from 12 units, in the waiting room or close to it, after dental treatment, using a form with 14 questions. Pain was investigated with a numerical scale of 21 points (0 to 10 with 0.5 intervals). RESULTS:Anesthesia was used in 16.1% of procedures. There has been pain during most anesthesias (58.3%), with intensity of 1±1.2, being more frequent when procedures were in the anterior oral region. For non-surgical invasive procedures, anesthesia was more used in adolescents, in procedures in the posterior oral region, when there was previous pain in the treated region and when the dentist asked patients about their preference. Also for these procedures, pain during treatment as a whole was more frequent and more severe when anesthesia was used. CONCLUSION:Dental anesthesia is rarely used in these units and pain during anesthesia is frequent, however of low intensity. During non-surgical invasive procedures, its use is associated to some characteristics of patients and treatments, but not to a painless or less painful treatment.