(PR28) A Survey of Military Patients’ Perceptions of Quality and Quantity of Sleep Before and After Endodontic Procedures and the Impact of Sleep upon Perceived Pain Associated with Endodontic Treatment

Abstract: Multiple painful conditions such as osteoarthritis, have been correlated with poor sleep. While the mechanisms are not fully understood, it is possible that poor sleep and pain pathways are related. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a patient’s quality and quantity of sleep had any impact upon the perceived pain before, during, and after endodontic treatment. Additionally, we investigated whether a patient’s dental pain impacted their sleep the night before or after their appointment. An anonymous short-form electronic survey was distributed to all patients who were seen at the Fort Bragg Endodontic Residency Dental Clinic over a 4 month period. Questions pertained to demographics, sleep quality and quantity, and perception of pain before, during and after an endodontic appointment. Results from 101 respondents were subjected to statistical analysis for significant (p < 0.05) associations. Most respondents indicated that dental pain did not impact sleep before or after the appointment (74.0%, 81.7%). No relationship was found between dental pain at any time point, typical sleep duration, age, gender or race/ethnicity (all p>0.05). Perceived maximum pain levels after the appointment were positively correlated with highest pain levels prior to the appointment (p=0.03). In conclusion, no relationship was found between dental pain at any time point and typical sleep duration. Dental pain did not impact sleep before or after the endodontic appointment. In agreement with other authors, we found that perceived maximum pain levels after the appointment were positively correlated with highest pain levels prior to the appointment.