Barriers in the Assessment of Orofacial Pain in Individuals with Intellectual Disability: Repercussions on Quality of Life and Diagnostics Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21270/archi.v14i10.6682Keywords:
Quality Of Life, Facial Pain, Oral Health, Effective Access to Health Services, Dental Care, Intellectual DisabilityAbstract
Introduction: Individuals with intellectual disabilities present greater vulnerability in oral health, often marked by orofacial pain that is difficult to detect and manage. Objective: To integrate evidence on the assessment of orofacial pain in individuals with intellectual disabilities, highlighting its repercussions on quality of life and barriers to dental care, with emphasis on the diagnostic challenges arising from the lack of specific and validated instruments. Methodology: Integrative literature review conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, and BVS databases between 2000 and 2025, using descriptors in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Twenty-one studies with different designs (observational, qualitative, experimental, and reviews) were included. Methodological quality was assessed using specific tools: STROBE for observational studies, COREQ for qualitative research, CONSORT for clinical trials, and PRISMA for reviews. Results: Four central thematic axes were identified: (1) etiologies and manifestations of orofacial pain — caries, periodontal disease, and TMD; (2) functional and psychosocial impacts on quality of life — sleep, eating, socialization, and autonomy; (3) barriers to pain assessment — lack of validated instruments and communication difficulties; (4) challenges in dental care — structural, familial, and attitudinal barriers. Conclusion: There is a shortage of specific instruments for measuring orofacial pain in individuals with intellectual disabilities and a lack of longitudinal studies. This review integrates pain, quality of life, and assessment barriers, emphasizing the need for preventive strategies, adapted protocols, and expanded access to inclusive dental care.
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