[Statistical analyses of clinical observations made on outpatients visiting the Department of Oral Diagnosis, Meikai University School of Dentistry Hospital, for the past 16 years].

Statistical analyses of clinical observations made on outpatients visiting the Department of Oral Diagnosis, Meikai University School of Dentistry Hospital from June, 1970, to August 1986 were carried out. The total number of new outpatients during this period was 73,708. The results were as follows: 1) The largest number of patients was found in 1978. 2) There was a tendency for the number of new patients to increase in March, June, and August of every year. The smallest number of patients came in December. 3) The greatest number of new patients visiting the hospital was in the 0-9 age category, followed by those in the 20-29 and 30-39 age categories. 4) The greatest chief complaint of patients visiting the hospital was pain, followed by masticatory disturbance and swelling. 5) The number of outpatients coming to the hospital for cosmetic and temporomandibular joint problems has been increasing on a yearly basis over the past 16 years.