Optimal proportion of different patterns of dental extraction forceps for use in Tanzania: A guide for equipping dental clinics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determlne the proportion of different extraction forceps required for optimal provision of dental services In clinics in Mainland Tanzania, so as to provide the basis for purchasing dental forceps. Data on the different teeth extractions In Mainland Tanzania was collected during the period of August/September 1992 by special forms mailed to eighteen regional clinics known to have dental officers and to all the four clinics In Dar es Salaam City. Dentals were requested In accompanying letbri cO rec:ard all reed! extracted clJrfnc wortIng days of the month. Data procsing ~ done by alloc.3dng reed! In IJ1llIPS which are usually extracted using the same fom!ps. A toC3I of 9,881 teeth of the secondily dentition and 1,762 of primary dentition were exIr.ICted In 22 clinics durlng the.scudy period. The ratio of teeth extracted was 1 :2:2:2:4:5: 18 for lower anteriors, upper anteriors, lower premolars, upper premolars: upper right molar, upper left molar and lower molars, respectively for secondily dentition and 1:1 :2:2:6 for Upper right molar, upper left molar, upper anterior, lower anteriors, lower molars for the primary dentition, respectively. The mean number of primary and secondary teeth extract per clinic per day were < 8 and < 34, respectively. It is conduded that 34 forceps for secondary dentition and 7 for primary dentition, both in the calculated ratios, should comprise the 'Ideal' set for use in Tanzania.