ABSTRACT
The main objective of the study was to investigate the most common chief complaints and the mean age of the Jordanian children at which they report for their first dental visit. The sample of this clinical prospective study, conducted in 2010 and 2013, comprised a total of 166 patients [76 males and 90 females] who were referred to paedodontic clinic of Princess Haya Hospital, Prince Hashem Hospital, Marka Military Medical Centre, King Hussein Medical Centre, Ameer Zaid Hospital / Royal Medical Services-Jordan Armed Forces-Jordan. Inclusion criteria for enrolment in the study were the subjects who were not suffering from any systemic condition nor they were using any pharmacological agent known to affect the dentition. Patients were diagnosed using an examination kit containing dental mirror, explorer, tweezers, facial mask and sterile gloves. Patient's date of birth, gender, brushing habits and chief complaint were recorded. The study group consisted of 166 patients with a mean [ +/- SD] age of 64.76 +/- 23.07 months. Seventy six were male patients with a mean [ +/- SD] age of 65.61 +/- 24.18 months compared to 90 females with a mean [ +/- SD] age of 64.05 +/- 22.20 months. The difference in mean age between both groups was statistically significant [P<0.05, t-test]. Age range was 24-144 months. Most common chief complaint for the first visit was pain [48.8%]. Second common complaint was having dental cavities [29.5%]. There was noticeable increase in number of subjects who never brushed their teeth. There was a significant difference between different areas in brushing habits [P<0.05, Chi-squire test]. Good correlation was found between brushing habits and number of carious teeth [P<0.05, Pearson's correlation]. It was concluded that two most common complaints for seeking dental appointment were dental pain and dental caries