• Leonard A Cohen, Arthur J Bonito, Donald R Akin, Richard J Manski, Mark D Macek, Robert R Edwards, and Llewellyn J Cornelius.
• Department of Health Promotion and Policy, University of Maryland Dental School, Maryland, USA. lacohen@umaryland.edu
• Spec Care Dentist. 2009 Mar 1; 29 (2): 85-95.

AbstractA computer-assisted telephone interview in Maryland of adults who had low income and were Hispanic, Black, and White and who had experienced a toothache during the previous 12 months was conducted. Respondents reported a high prevalence of toothaches, with 44.3% having experienced more than five toothaches during the preceding 10 years. Pain intensity associated with the most recent toothache was high with 45.1% of the respondents reporting the highest pain possible. Pain interfered with many aspects of normal functioning. Self-care strategies generally took precedence over professional health services. Pain sufferers used a combination of self-care and formal care strategies. Initial strategies most often focused on nonprescription medicines(home remedies and prayer. The majority of respondents ultimately sought pain relief from a dentist. We identified a number of significant differences in the strategies used across racial/ethnic groups.

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