A Fourteen Year Interval Evaluation of the Pattern of Dmft

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of DMFT in patients attending UBTH Dental centre, evaluate the variation in pattern and possible factors responsible for this variation. METHOD: Retrospective study of hospital records of all patients who were first-time attenders at UBTH oral diagnosis unit between July - October 1989 and July - October 2003 respectively.The information obtained included patient's biodata, presenting complaints, carious, missing and filled teeth present. Only missing teeth due to caries were included in the study. RESULT: Total attendance was higher in 1989 (1,655) than in 2003 (1,112). For both periods more females were in attendance, 53% in 1989 and 55% in 2003.The mean DMFT was higher in 1989 (32.98 „b 0.91) compare to 2003 (29.55 „b 0.80). There was statistical significant difference between both periods (p ƒ¬ 0.05). The mean DMFT was higher in male for both periods: 34.12 „b 1.31 (1989) and 30. 77 „b 1.10 (2003) while that of female was 31.20 „b 1.28 (1989) and 28.68 (2003). There was statistical significant difference between both sexes for the periods (p ƒ¬ 0.05). The DMFT score was highest in 20 - 29years old in 1989 and 30 - 39years old in 2003 and was least in 70 - 79years old in both samples. CONCLUSION: Poor oral health care and dental awareness probably accounted for the high DMFT in males. High DMFT for age brackets 20-29years and 30-39years may be due to dietary habits and secondly high proportion of the patients belong to this age groups. The lower attendance in 2003 compare to 1989 may be due to increase cost of dental treatment and the prevailing economic downturn.