Orofacial pain diagnoses and their impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of life in dental patients: a cross-sectional study in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Orofacial pain is a prevalent clinical condition that can significantly impair patients’ quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to describe the distribution of orofacial pain diagnoses among patients attending Umm Al-Qura University Dental Hospital in Makkah and to evaluate their impact on QoL using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14).

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 104 adult patients presenting with orofacial pain. Diagnoses were established using standardized clinical criteria, and participants completed a structured questionnaire incorporating the OHIP-14 instrument.

Endodontic pain was the most common diagnosis (80.8%), followed by caries-related conditions (12.5%) and periodontal pain (3.8%). The median OHIP-14 score was 28, indicating a moderate negative impact on QoL. Most participants reported frequent functional limitations, physical pain, and psychological discomfort. Due to the marked imbalance in gender distribution, gender was analyzed descriptively only, and no inferential conclusions were drawn regarding sex-based differences.

Orofacial pain has a substantial impact on patients’ QoL, with endodontic conditions representing the predominant cause in this clinical setting. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and targeted management to improve patient-centered outcomes. However, the clinic-based design and sample characteristics limit the generalizability of the results.