407 - Survey to Measure Absences Related to Toothaches

Purpose: In 2013 our research team found that 11% of children in the Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan area missed school days due to toothaches. Expanded on this research by adding additional questions. During the COVID-19 pandemic many patients missed dental appointments. In addition, the city of Jackson had a public water crisis causing residents to drink bottled water. This limited the fluoride intake that otherwise would have been provided in the tap water. Our 2023 survey is geared to provide information on how these additional factors affected the amount of school missed from toothaches.

Methods: 65 surveys were randomly administered to parents of K-12th grade children located within the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Results: 65 surveys were collected and analyzed. 41% of children complained of toothaches or tooth related pain. 18% of children missed school solely because of a toothache. The most common reason that children had not been to the dentist was that the parent/guardian forgot to schedule the appointment (12%). 66% of children missed an appointment during the COVID pandemic. 57% used bottled water to brush their teeth during the Jackson Water Crisis. 78% of the children surveyed drank mainly bottled water since 2020.

Conclusion: School-aged children in Mississippi have school absences attributed to toothaches/dental pain. The percentage of children missing school has increased to 18% from 11% in 2013. This highlights the effects and concerns of not having access to fluoridated water during a critical developmental period and/or missed dental appointments as a result of COVID-19.



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