Pattern of dental treatment in patients attending the Dental Centre University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri Nigeria

Abstract

Background: This is a retrospective study of the pattern of dental treatment given in a Teaching Hospital in North Eastern region of Nigeria within a period of three years coinciding with the establishment of the Dental school culminating in the departmentalization of the Dental Clinic into different specialities. Objectives: To document the pattern of dental treatments. Materials and Method: This is a retrospective study of dental records of patients attending the dental clinic of a Teaching Hospital. Some criteria were set to determine regular attendees and these were recalled for clinical examination. Result: More males (52.6%) sought treatment than females (47.4%), while surgical related procedures (55.3%) were more frequently carried out than restorative (34.5%) and periodontal related procedure (9.2%). Females had more restorative treatment (62.3%) than males (37.7%) periodontal related procedures was 9.2% of all treatment given with male preponderance (61.8%). Caries was the major cause of all treatment given (64.4%) while periodontal related causes was 17.3%. Conclusion: Number of amels seeking dental treatment was more than females and so was the treatment given; however, more females tend to seek for restorative care than their male counterparts. Less females underwent surgical procedures as they may prefer restorative procedures tahn males. More extractions were carried out so there is the need for government’s intervention in oral health policy of the state and Nigeria.