Objective To explore the effect of health education combined with comfort nursing on treatment compliance and pain intensity in adults with dental caries undergoing light-curing composite resin restoration. Methods A total of 100 adult patients with dental caries who underwent light-curing composite resin restoration in Shapotou District People's Hospital from September 2024 to September 2025 were selected. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the control group and the study group, with 50 patients in each group. The control group received conventional nursing, and the study group received health education combined with comfort nursing. The treatment compliance, pain intensity, dental aesthetic and functional scores, quality of life and satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The treatment compliance rate of the study group (96.00%) was higher than that of the control group (82.00%) (P<0.05). The scores of VAS in the study group at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after intervention were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The dental aesthetic and functional scores of the study group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The scores of quality of life in the study group after intervention were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). The satisfaction rate of the study group (96.00%) was higher than that of the control group (80.00%) (P<0.05). Conclusion Health education combined with comfort nursing for adult patients with dental caries undergoing light-curing composite resin restoration is helpful to improve treatment compliance, reduce pain intensity, enhance dental aesthetics and restoration effect, and is of great value in improving patients' quality of life and satisfaction.