Health status and visit reasons for children attending the Pediatric Dentistry department in damascus university, damascus, Syria: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to discuss the health status and treatment requirements of children visiting the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study included the records of patients attending the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, from November 29, 2021, to December 14, 2023.

RESULTS

The study reviewed 2417 patient records, excluding 312. The majority of patients were primary school children aged 6 - <12, primarily from Rif-Dimashq governorate. About 18 % displayed negative behavior during examinations, and 8 % had special health care needs. The most frequent type of disability was medical disabilities, followed by neurological disorders, with percentages of 40.2 % and 28.9 %, respectively. Dental caries were the primary reason for visits, with a mean of 3.94 ± 3.13. A negative association was found between the number of decayed teeth and the following: age classification, visit year, and Salviov-Tinawi scale. The percentage of males who came for cosmetic problems was higher than females at 57.2 % and 42.8 %, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, is a public dental clinic that is visited by patients from all governorates, providing free specialized treatments.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Unmet dental needs are a significant issue for both healthy children and those with special health care needs. The Department of Pediatric Dentistry serves as a research and educational center, offering comprehensive dental treatments to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Therefore, understanding the dental needs of children is crucial for providing effective support.