Impact of Employment Status and Occupations on the Awareness of Orofacial Pain. A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Background: Orofacial pain (OFP) affects ~ 30% of the general population, yet only a small proportion seek treatment, often due to limited knowledge and awareness. This cross-sectional study assessed awareness of OFP and treatment seeking behavior among a patient cohort seen at a university hospital, and correlated them to employment status, occupation, and educational attainment. Methodology: A 16-item survey was distributed to patients (and relatives) at a large Indian medical university (Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology), assessing demographics, awareness of OFP, signs and symptoms of OFP, and treatment-seeking behavior. Participants’ occupations were classified according to the National Classification of Occupations (NCO-2004; NCO-2015) and their educational attainment according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations. Chi-square test compared awareness, signs/symptoms, and treatment-seeking behaviors across employment statuses, occupational categories, and educational attainment. Results: Of the 309 participants (39.5 ± 12.9, 51.5% females), 82.2% were employed. Most of the employed responders were Service workers, shop and market sales workers (30.7%), and Professionals (18.8%). Most participants (55.3%) had secondary education, and 25.4% had post-graduate degree. All responders experienced signs/symptoms of OFP, but only 61% sought treatment. Awareness of OFP varied between 47% (recognizing it as a chronic condition) to 74% (acknowledging its impact on quality of life). There were significant differences according to educational attainment in awareness that OFP impacts life quality (p = .010) and affects all age (p = .050). No significant differences in awareness, symptoms, or treatment-seeking behaviors were found across employment status and occupational categories. Conclusion: Awareness of OFP was modest and varied primarily with educational attainment rather than employment status or occupation.