Abstract
Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is a specialty widening in its scope. An objective analysis of the referral pattern can provide essential information to improve healthcare. This four-year retrospective study was implemented in Khartoum Teaching Dental Hospital. Data (age, sex, diagnosis, and type of treatment) were collected from patient records. Disease frequency, as well as the effect of sex and age, were analyzed for each group. The frequency of treatment types was also assessed. Data were collected from a total of 3,478 patients over the four-year study period. There was a male predominance with the third decade of life being the most common age group. Pathological diseases were the most common (37%) reason for referral, followed by trauma (31%). Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and dentoalveolar extraction were the least frequently observed. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was the most commonly performed procedure (28%). These data represent the epidemiology of oral and maxillofacial diseases in Sudan. Given that the third decade of life is the most represented age group, it is beneficial to learn the long-term consequences of these diseases in these young patients and to use modern surgical techniques to improve their lives.
Highlights
Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is a specialty that is expanding in scope [1]
Most published articles subjectively assess the scope of OMFS practices [3] and focus on a particular type of service [2,4]
The present study aims to assess the prevalence of diseases diagnosed in a cohort of patients visiting an OMFS service in Sudan over four years, the pattern and distribution of OMFS diagnoses in relation to age and sex, and the type of treatments provided
Summary
Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is a specialty that is expanding in scope [1]. Despite the high number of services offered by OMFS specialists, few reports explore the overall characteristics of patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial procedures[2]. Most published articles subjectively assess the scope of OMFS practices [3] and focus on a particular type of service [2,4]. The lack of knowledge in this area limits health institutions’ ability to provide better services and to improve their infrastructure. The importance of an epidemiological study to enhance the health care system is evident [5].
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