Comparison of dental needs with the treatments actually received

The main purpose of the study was to determine the types, causes, dental needs, and follow-up treatments of the chief complaints of a socioeconomically disadvantaged population of patients attending a public dental hospital. Around half of the 301 patients examined were 45 years of age and older, and the vast majority were of caucasian origin. The most common dental complaints in 259 patients were toothache, broken teeth, lost fillings, and painful, broken or loose dentures. The most frequent causes of the chief complaints were judged to be dental caries, and inadequate restorations and removable prostheses. On examination, most of the patients also had one or more other unsatisfactory restorations or removable prostheses, especially in the 35 years and over age group. Deep periodontal pockets were also found most often in this age group. After four to six months, of the 259 patients with chief complaints, 113 had had their complaints treated and 45 had not, 47 patients were given a different form of treatment from that proposed, while 31 treatments were uncompleted, and 23 patients could not be followed up.