Abstract
Background: Tooth loss, a result of one or more oral diseases, causes partial or complete edentulism. Aim: To determine tooth loss among patients attending selected public dental clinics in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study involved patients aged 18 years and above attending selected public dental clinics in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Multistage and proportionate sampling methods were used. Chi-square tests were performed, and the level of statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Of the 422 subjects aged 18–72 years, the majority were young adults (70.4%), females (65.2%) and with upper secondary education and above (70.1%). Tooth decay (n = 221; 74.4%) was the main reported cause for tooth loss among young adults (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that tooth loss is age-related and caused mainly by tooth decay. It is more common in one jaw for younger adults, unlike older adults who had fewer missing teeth affecting mostly one jaw and location. Sex and level of education did not influence tooth loss. Tooth loss should be prevented and rehabilitative protocols in place. Clinical significance: Clinicians are encouraged to provide oral health education to the community in an attempt to prevent diseases that cause tooth loss and make known treatment options for tooth loss.
Cite this
Lorna C Carneiro; Saadi M Khamis, (2024), Tooth Loss among Adult Patients Attending Public Dental Clinics in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry (2024): 10.5005/jp-journals-10062-0196, 18(3), 10.5005/jp-journals-10062-0196
