How does the frequency of dental visits affect future dental health?

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ABSTRACT

Background

This study investigates the impact of increased dental visits on children’s dental health outcomes over a seven-year period. It assesses whether services such as consultations, X-rays, treatments for stomatitis, fillings, and extractions lead to better dental health, specifically focusing on the condition of the first permanent molars following comprehensive dental remediation.

Material and methods

A retrospective study was conducted using data from the Vienna Public Health Insurance (ÖGK-W). The cohort included all children born in 2008 and 2009 who underwent extensive deciduous tooth rehabilitation in 2013. Inclusion criteria required each child to have received at least five dental procedures — including fillings and extractions — within a single quarter. The study comprised 465 patients, 196 females and 269 males. A score of 1 was assigned if restorative treatment was needed on any of the four molars, and a score of 0 if no treatment was required. This outcome was correlated with the frequency of dental visits over the seven-year period.

Results

Boys exhibited a higher prevalence of caries compared to girls. Data analysis revealed that children with no restorative treatment on their first permanent molars (score = 0) attended an average of 10.49 dental examinations, whereas those requiring treatment (score = 1) attended an average of 7.18 dental visits. The logistic regression yielded an estimator of -0.0702, indicating a negative correlation between the number of dental visits and the need for restorative treatment. More frequent dental check-ups were associated with a lower likelihood of needing restorative treatment, highlighting the effectiveness of preventive measures and regular monitoring in improving dental health outcomes.

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of regular dental check-ups and comprehensive preventive care in maintaining children’s oral health. The findings demonstrate that proactive and frequent dental consultations, combined with proper oral hygiene education, can significantly delay or prevent the need for tooth remediation. This emphasises the critical role of preventive dental care and the need for continued emphasis on regular dental visits to improve long-term oral health in children.

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