Indian Journal of Oral Health and Research

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2016  |  Volume : 2  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 72--76

Characteristics of patients requesting for tooth extraction in a Nigerian secondary health-care setting


Ifueko Patience Osaghae1, Clement Chinedu Azodo2 
1 Department of Periodontics, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
2 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Central Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Clement Chinedu Azodo
Department of Periodontics, Room 21, 2nd Floor, Prof. Ejide Dental Complex, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 1111 Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State
Nigeria

Introduction: Patient desire or preference has been documented as one of the reasons for tooth extraction, but the affected patients have not been properly characterized. The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients requesting for tooth extraction in a Nigerian secondary health-care setting. Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective study of patients attending the Dental Clinic of Central Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. An interviewer-administered questionnaire which elicited information on age, gender, educational status, dental attendance pattern, tooth extraction experience or that of close relative or friend, reasons for tooth extraction request, and awareness of tooth restoration options was the data collection tool. Data analysis was done using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 137 patients aged between 17 and 65 years that met the inclusion criterion were studied. The majority of the patients who requested for tooth extraction were males, aged between 26 years and 65 years, had tertiary education, and had previously visited the dental clinic. A total of 48.9% and 62.0% of the participants had previous tooth extractions and had relatives that have undergone tooth extractions, respectively. Dental visit pattern was significantly associated with tooth extraction experience. The leading reason for requesting for tooth extraction was a permanent stoppage of pain. Age and gender were not significantly associated with the reasons for requesting tooth extraction. Conclusion: Data from this study revealed that adult patients of both genders, varying ages, educational attainments, and dental attendance patterns requested for tooth extraction in the studied Nigerian secondary health-care setting, and their leading reason for the request was a permanent stoppage of pain.


How to cite this article:
Osaghae IP, Azodo CC. Characteristics of patients requesting for tooth extraction in a Nigerian secondary health-care setting.Indian J Oral Health Res 2016;2:72-76


How to cite this URL:
Osaghae IP, Azodo CC. Characteristics of patients requesting for tooth extraction in a Nigerian secondary health-care setting. Indian J Oral Health Res [serial online] 2016 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];2:72-76
Available from: https://www.ijohr.org/article.asp?issn=2393-8692;year=2016;volume=2;issue=2;spage=72;epage=76;aulast=Osaghae;type=0