First Dental Visit: Age Reasons Oral Health Status and Dental Treatment Needs among Children Aged 1 Month to 14 Years

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to see the age and also the reasons for the child’s first dental visit and to assess the oral health status and treatment desires. Materials and methods: The study involved 133 children aged between 1 month and 14 years, who reported to the department of pediatric and preventive dentistry. All parents/legal guardians of the study participants gave written consent for participation in the study. Information on the child’s age and reason for the dental visit were collected from a questionnaire given to parents. The children’s dental condition was assessed by decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) and DMFT values. Statistical analysis used: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 and categorical data were compared by using Chi-square test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Result: Age of the child for first dental visit was male: 85.7% at 9 years and female: 75.00% at 4 years. Majority of children who visited the dentist were age 7 years. The most common chief complaint about the primary visit was caries, and the second was tooth pain. Conclusion: Children report for the primary dental visit most commonly solely after 7 years and for complaints like caries and tooth pain. Children make their first dental visit too late (usually at the age of 7 years) in reference to medical recommendations (between 6 and 12 months of life). More of restoration was the treatment of need by 47.00%. The results of this study indicate unhealthy oral health creating their first dental visit and low health awareness of parents and guardians.