Patterns of Pharmacological Pain Management in Children Undergoing Dental Procedures at Tertiary Care Hospitals in Bangladesh

Background: Pediatric dental procedures require appropriate pharmacological pain management to ensure children's comfort and recovery. However, evidence on its utilization patterns in Bangladesh remains limited; therefore, this study assessed pharmacological pain management among children undergoing dental procedures at tertiary care hospitals. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the patterns of pharmacological pain management among children undergoing dental procedures at tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh. Methods & Materials: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted at TMSS Medical College Dental Unit, Bogura; Dhaka Dental College and Hospital, Dhaka; and Saphena Womens' Dental College & Hospital, Bangladesh, from July 2025 to June 2026, involving 160 children aged 2–12 years. Sociodemographic, procedural, and pharmacological pain management data were collected using a structured form and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: Among 160 children (mean age 7.05 ± 2.22 years), 55.0% were boys and 48.8% were aged 5–8 years. Tooth extraction was the most common procedure (32.5%), followed by dental restoration and pulp therapy (25.0% each). Combined local anesthesia and systemic analgesics was the leading approach (38.8%), followed by local anesthesia alone (30.0%). Lidocaine was the most frequently used agent (67.5%), followed by paracetamol (46.3%) and ibuprofen (23.8%). Analgesics were most commonly administered postoperatively (31.3%), with oral administration in 57.5%. Combined therapy predominated across all age groups (36.0–41.0%). Conclusion: Combined use of local anesthesia and systemic analgesics is important for effective, age-appropriate pain management in children undergoing dental procedures.