Dental extractions in Saudi children under general anesthesia at armed forces hospital in Riyadh

The aim of this study was to investigate the extraction pattern of teeth in children under general anesthesia at the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the study, 546 children were examined and referred to pediatric dentistry and afterclinical radiographic re-evaluation, had extractions performed undergeneral anesthesia. Mean extractions perchild were 5.92 (±2.12) teeth. Most of the extractions were done in primary dentition and in age group 5-9 years. Primary first molar was the most commonly extracted tooth. In the permanent dentition, first molar was again the most commonly extracted tooth. Based on this study and data, it is recommended that intensified and more preventive programs in dental health care be implemented for Saudi children to reduce caries prevalence which was found to be the main cause of dental extractions in these children