An Investigation Concerning Patients Appearing at the Pediatric Dental Clinic of Niigata University in 1980, 1988, 1996 and 2004

Abstract

Records of patients who visited the Pediatric Dental Clinic, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital for initial examination in 1980,1988,1996 and 2004 were investigated to discover changes in the dental conditions and requirements of patients and in the nature of our practice over the past 25years. The following results were obtained:
1. The numbers of patients who visited our clinic for their first dental examination in 1980,1988,1996 and 2004 amounted to 1,079,808,526 and 427, respectively. It seemed that the declining trend was related to the lowering of the birthrate in Niigata prefecture.
2. The proportion of patients whose chief complaint was dental caries decreased successively, in 1980,1988,1996 and 2004. In contrast, the percentage with malocclusion, tooth abnormality or examination increased.
3. The number of referral patients from other dental clinics increased in 1996 and 2004, double that of 1980.
4. In the case of the primary teeth, the number of teeth with severe dental caries decreased gradually in 1980,1988,1996 and 2004. The proportion of primary teeth treated with composite resin increased. In contrast, the proportion of teeth extracted and teeth treated with metal crowns or resin jacket crowns decreased.
5. In the case of the immature permanent teeth, while the number of teeth treated decreased steadily in 1980,1988 and 1996, it increased once again in 2004. The proportion of permanent teeth treated with fissure sealant or composite resin increased.
6. The proportion of patients who visited periodically for more than 5 years to undergo oral examinations increased gradually in all age groups in 1980,1988 and 1996.