Reasons underlying the extraction of permanent teeth in patients attending Peoples Dental College and Hospital.

Extraction of permanent teeth is common in Nepal. The study was undertaken to determine the causes and pattern of missing permanent teeth among patients attending Peoples Dental College and Hospital (PDCH) and to see if there is any association between variables like socio economic status, patient education level, dental visit and extraction of permanent teeth. A prospective cross sectional survey was carried out in patients attending the Department of Oral Surgery in PDCH between August 2006 and October 2006. The data was collected by trained clinician through clinical examination and using semi- structured questionnaires. Computer software SPSS 15 was used for statistical analysis. In age groups < or = 30 years, 90.0% it was reported that Dental caries was the most common reason for extraction of teeth. In age groups > 30 years, 55.6% periodontal disease was the most common reason for extraction of teeth. Distribution by type of teeth and dental disease was highly significant where. Dental caries was the reason for extraction of first permanent molar. Distribution by education level and visit to dentist was highly significant. About 93.1% of the people who were illiterate visited the dental surgeon while in pain and 76.0% of the university level graduates visited the dentist while in pain. Caries and its sequel remain the most important cause of tooth loss throughout adult life along with periodontal diseases at later stages.