Tooth Loss in Problem-oriented, Irregular, and Regular Attenders at Dental Offices

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Preventive Dentistry

Background:

• Tooth loss is a significant oral health concern with multifactorial causes.
• Patient attendance patterns at dental offices can influence oral health outcomes.
• Understanding the relationship between appointment adherence and tooth loss is vital for preventive strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare tooth loss incidence among patients with different dental attendance behaviors: regular attenders (RAs), irregular attenders (IRAs), and problem-oriented attenders (POAs).
• To identify risk factors associated with tooth loss based on patient attendance patterns.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study analyzing tooth loss data from 1,400 patients over a 10-year period.
• Patients categorized into RAs, IRAs, and POAs based on dental appointment adherence.
• Statistical analysis including mean tooth loss, odds ratios (OR), and confidence intervals (CI) to assess correlations.

Main Results:

• A total of 1,886 teeth were lost. Mean tooth loss was significantly lower in IRAs and RAs compared to POAs.
• IRAs had an OR of 0.54 and RAs had an OR of 0.65 for experiencing at least two tooth extractions, indicating reduced risk.
• Risk factors for tooth loss included male gender, hypertension, and a lower number of present teeth.

Conclusions:

• Regular and irregular dental attendance are associated with significantly less tooth loss compared to problem-oriented attendance.
• Patient motivation for regular dental visits and maintenance is crucial for reducing tooth loss.
• Dental professionals should educate patients on tooth loss risks and preventive measures.