PRESENTING COMPLAINTS AND FINDINGS IN A GROUP OF PATIENTS ATTENDING A HYPODONTIA CLINIC

A survey is presented of the complaints and findings in a group of 451 patients referred to a multidisciplinary clinic for the management of hypodontia. The most common complaints were missing teeth, spacing in the dental arches, and poor appearance. The majority of patients were referred by their dental practitioners, and more than half were over 12 years old when first seen. Delayed referral can have educational and social consequences. Changing attitudes to dental care and the maintenance of an intact dentition are resulting in hypodontia, particularly in its more severe forms, becoming of increasing concern to children and their parents. The management of this condition is best organised via multidisciplinary specialist clinics.