2020 Volume 58 Issue 3 Pages 99-106
We investigated new preschool patients with the chief complaint of dental caries at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry of Hiroshima University Hospital during the fiscal years of 2008, 2013 and 2018. The ratio of preschool patients with the chief complaint of dental caries to new patients has increased : the largest percentage being 3 years old in 2008, but 5 years old in 2013 and 2018. Among the patients with dental caries in 2013 and 2018, there were higher rates in the primary upper incisors than in 2008. We classified the patients with dental cavities : class I was the largest group in 2008, but class III was the largest group in 2013 and 2018. This shows that the severity of cavities worsened from 2013 to 2018. The number of patients from distant locations has increased. Most of the referrals came from private clinics in every fiscal year and the proportion has also increased.
