ASSESSMENT OF REASONS, AGE, ORAL HEALTH STATUS AND DENTAL TREATMENT NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN THEIR FIRST DENTAL VISIT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Aim: To assess the average age, reason of the first dental visit and to identify the oral health status including the children’s caries experience and their treatment needs among the Egyptian children.
Materials and Methods: A total of 358 children aged from 1 to 12 years participated and filled the study questionnaire.Children were randomly chosen from the diagnostic clinic of Pediatric Dentistry . Parents were asked about the specific reason for his child’s first dental visit. The age of the child was determined by a birth certificate with the help of parents or caregivers accompanying the child. The oral health status and dental treatment need were assessed based on clinical examination according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization.
Result: Most of children (86 %) who visited the dentist for the first time were between the ages of (3 to 6) and (6 to 9) years, with the smallest percentage (1.7%) between the ages of (1 to 3) years. Dental pain was the main reason for the first dental visit in (63%) of the children. The children age groups (3 to 6) and (6 to 9) years had a higher caries experience than other age groups. Most of the children (89.4%) were in need for complex treatment.
Conclusion: Most parents were unaware of the appropriate age for their children's first dental visit. Dental pain followed by caries were the most reported reasons for the first dental visit. The early dental visit plays a critical role in children’s oral health.

Keywords

Advanced Dental Journal
Volume 6, Issue 1
January 2024
Pages 36-50

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