Tooth loss among Iraqi adolescent

Abstract

Background: Little information is available regarding tooth loss in Iraqi adolescent. Therefore, this study aims to calculate tooth mortality and its distribution.Material and Method: This study included a sample of 385 Iraqi adolescents (145 males + 240 females), aged from (11 to 17) years, the mean age was 14 years, drawn from a relatively low socio-economic level who livid in (Al-Dowra) in Baghdad where access to free dental care is minimal. Over a 6 months period records were made of all adolescent patients attending the (Al-Dowra) General Dental Clinic. Teeth already lost and teeth indicated for extraction were pooled a part, to obtain a more realistic picture of the dental condition a semi structural questionnaire was constructed.Results: 16.3% of the study population possessed lost teeth and caries is the primary cause of tooth mortality among young population especially among females.Conclusions: The mandibular first molar is the most frequently lost tooth and females are more concerned about their oral hygiene than males. There was also a delay in the mean eruption time of permanent teeth in both sexes