Evaluating the agreement between children and their parents on dental pain in children using the self‐reported method

Having preschool children evaluate their dental pain can provide an additional insight into pain diagnoses and improve patient-centered care. This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between self-reported dental pain by preschoolers and their parents' report (proxy measure).This cross-sectional study was conducted with children aged 4 to 6 years, and with one of their parents. Dental pain was reported using the Simplified Faces Pain Scale (S-FPS) and administered before the dental consultation. Dental pain was assessed using closed-ended questions, and a three-face scale was used to determine pain severity. The kappa and weighted kappa tests were used to evaluate the agreement between the children's self-report and their parents' report.A total of 198 child-parent dyads participated. Current child dental pain was reported by 44.4% of the children and 36.9% of the parents. Severe pain was reported most frequently between children (17.1%) and parents (16.2%). The agreement on the severity of dental pain ranged from substantial (children aged 6 years and parents: weighted kappa = 0.372) to moderate (4-year-olds: 0.412; 5-year-olds: 0.453).Children and parents agreed on the child's dental pain. The use of the S-FPS among younger children appears valid and feasible for assessing dental pain.