A STUDY ON THE CHANGES OF PATIENT DISTRIBUTION AND TREATMENT PATTERN FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS IN PEDIATRIC DENTAL PRACTICE OF GWANGJU

Kim, Hana; Lee, Nan-young; Lee, Sang-ho

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 2012;39(4):348-356.
Published online November 30, 2012.

A STUDY ON THE CHANGES OF PATIENT DISTRIBUTION AND TREATMENT PATTERN FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS IN PEDIATRIC DENTAL PRACTICE OF GWANGJU

Hana Kim, Nan-young Lee, Sang-ho Lee

Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Chosun University

최근 5년간 광주지역 소아치과에 내원한 신환의 분포와 진료 내용에 대한 조사

김하나, 이난영, 이상호

Correspondence: Nan-young Lee, Tel: 062-220-3860, Email: nandent@chosun.ac.kr

Received: 24 July 2012 • Accepted: 11 October 2012

Abstract

The treatment pattern of pediatric dentistry has been changing recently, because of so many socioeconomic changes such as decrease of birth rates and prevalence of caries. The purpose of this study is to recognize the changing patterns in pediatric dental treatment and to help predict future direction for pediatric dentistry. Patients distribution and treatment pattern were examined in all new patients of the department of pediatric dentistry, Chosun University Dental Hospital and two pediatric local clinics in Gwang-ju, from 2005 to 2010. The number of new patients in recent 5 years has been increasing. There was a higher ratio of male patients. Age distribution has shown the percentage of 3~4 age group was highest. The hospital visit rate to Chosun University Dental Hospital was high, whereas the visit rate for local clinics was low. Dental caries showed the highest percentage in chief complaints, oral examinations have increased. The percentage of restoration treatment was highest, fluoride treatment had increased. In restorative treatment, the percentage of resin and GIC restoration was highest and amalgam restoration has decreased. The percentage of sedation treatment was decreased a little, Chosun University Dental Hospital showed a higher rate than local clinics.

Key Words: Pediatric patient, Patient distribution, Practice pattern