Provision of extractions by main diagnoses

Abstract

Aims/objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of extractions by the diagnoses of caries, pulpal/periapical infection and periodontal disease, controlling for visit type, insurance and age. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of the 1993-94 wave of a longitudinal study. Setting: Private general dental practice. Participants: A random sample of Australian registered dentists, (response rate=74%). Methods: Practitioners completed service logs over one to two typical clinical days. Main outcome measure: Percentage of patients receiving extractions. Results: Overall, 7.05% of patients received extractions, with the highest percentages occurring for persons with caries (7.90%), periodontal disease (17.45%) and pulpal/periapical infection (17.54%). Odds of extraction were higher at emergency visits for insured and uninsured patients compared to non-emergency visits by insured patients, while odds of extraction (Logistic regression: OR=Odds ratio; 95% Cl) were higher for 18-44 year-olds with caries (OR=1.44; 1.09-1.89), for 18-44 (OR=1.84; 1.34-2.54) and 45+ year-olds (OR=1.83; 1.27-2.63) with pulpal/periapical infection, and for 45+ year-olds (OR=6.82; 4.68-9.95) with periodontal disease. Conclusions: There were different age-specific causes of extraction, controlling for visit type and insurance. Effect sizes were highest for pulpal/periapical infection and periodontal disease, but caries remained a major cause of tooth loss due to the higher prevalence of this condition. © 2001 FDI/World Dental Press.