Pattern of tooth loss in recipients of free dental treatment at the University Hospital of Amman, Jordan.

The aim of this study is to document reasons for tooth loss in disadvantaged Jordanians who seek free dental care at the University Hospital/Dental Clinics. A 4-year (1998-2001) prospective study was undertaken involving 2200 randomly selected patients from this subpopulation. Of their 3069 lost teeth, 46.9% were lost due to caries and its sequel; 18% were lost because of periodontal disease; 8% were lost for a combination of caries and periodontal disease; 19.4% for pre-prosthetic reasons; 4% for orthodontic reasons; 2.8% for eruption problems and 0.7% due to trauma. Logistic regression analysis for reasons of tooth loss in this sector revealed that caries and its sequel was the predominant cause of tooth loss in patients <or=40 years of age whereas periodontal extractions were predominant for the above 40-year-old group. In addition, the most frequently extracted teeth, due to caries, were lower first and second molars while lower incisors were most commonly extracted for periodontal disease. Premolars were extracted for orthodontic reasons, upper incisors for trauma, third molars for eruption problems and canines for pre-prosthetic reasons. In conclusion, dental caries was the main reason for removal of teeth in adults attending the University of Jordan free dental casualty clinic. Therefore, in order to reduce the rate of dental extractions in this sector of the Jordanian population, efforts should focus on prevention and treatment of caries. Efforts should also be made to change the values and beliefs of this sector towards the importance of natural dentition.