Pattern of Presentation and Treatment of Dental Caries - Related Cases at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Study.

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the pattern of presentation and treatment of Dental Caries- related cases among children and adolescence presenting in Paediatric Dentistry clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The clinical records of enrolled 1251 patients aged 16 years and below who presented with caries or its sequelae and treated at the Paediatric Dentistry clinic between June 2004 and June 2008 were analysed using the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth/ decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft) index to evaluate dental caries. The total mean DMFT/dmft of the study group was 1.46 with highest mean dmft amongst those aged 0-6 years. More females (55.3%) presented at the clinic than males (44.7%). Age 7 (10.5%) had the highest frequency in the study which had a mean age of 9.3. Acute apical periodontitis (45.6%) was the highest diagnosed condition followed by dental caries (44.2%), dento-alveolar abscess (5.8%), irreversible pulpitis (3.9%) and the least was chronic pulpitis (0.1%). Early childhood caries (ECC) accounted for about 28.9% of the entire study group. Extraction was the most frequently carried out treatment procedure (52.4%). Glass ionomer restoration constituted 27.2%, Amalgam 9.4% of the treatment rendered and Pulp therapy (Pulp capping, Pulpotomy, Pulpectomy and Root canal therapy) constituted 2.4%, 2.3%, 3.7%, and 2.5% respectively. In conclusion, we found that the most of the children presenting with caries related problems had acute apical periodontitis (45.6%) with caries conditions affecting mostly a single tooth (71.5%). The study also found that the 0- 6 years age group with early childhood caries (ECC) had the highest dmft of 1.65 and is an indication poor early dental attendance and need for strong preventive strategies. The study also showed extraction (52.4%) as the highest mode of treatment further reinforcing the need for early oral health education and screening.

Keywords: Dental Caries, Caries Sequelae, Early Childhood Caries, Treatment, Benin City