Dental extractions in Saudi children under general

anesthesia at Armed Forces Hospital in Riyadh

Tahir R. Paul,* BDS, MSc, FRACDS, FDSRCS, FASDC,
Manal Jamjoom,** BDS, MSc, PhD
* San Diego, California, USA, ** Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh

The aim of this study was to investigate the extraction pattern of teeth in children under general anesthesia at the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the study, 546 children were examined and referred to pediatric dentistry and after clinical radiographic re-evaluation, had extractions performed under general anesthesia. Mean extractions per child were 5.92 (±2.12) teeth. Most of the extractions were done in primary dentition and in age group 5-9 years. Primary frst molar was the most commonly extracted tooth. In the permanent dentition, frst molar was again the most commonly extracted tooth. Based on this study and data, it is recommended that intensifed and more preventive programs in dental health care be implemented for Saudi children to reduce caries prevalence which was found to be the main cause of dental extractions in these children.

Saudi Dental Journal 2005;17(2):69-73.