title: Reasons for permanent tooth extraction in the North of Afghanistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to study the pattern of and reasons for permanent tooth extraction in a group of Afghan patients attending a dental clinic in the North of Afghanistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A simple clinical survey was done in Afghan population sample that has undergone or planned for tooth extraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 184 permanent teeth were extracted from 123 patients ranging in age from 9 to 62 years during the three-month study period. Males were 54.5% while females formed 45.5%. Overall, caries was the most frequent reason for tooth extraction (59.2%), followed by periodontal disease (35.3%), surgical indications (4.9%) and patient request (0.5%). Caries was the main reason for tooth loss up to 50 years of age. However, periodontal disease became the principal reason in 51 years old and over. Posterior teeth represented the highest percentage (84.2%) of extraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both caries and periodontal disease were the main reasons for tooth extraction in the North of Afghanistan, so that proper oral health system including efficient programs focusing on prevention and treatment of these diseases should be created and developed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Periodontology, Dental Corps, Royal Medical Services, P.O. Box 107, Rusaifa 13710, Jordan. daameh@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Da'ameh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Da'ameh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000601:surgery*; D019229:Dentition, Permanent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*