title: Reasons for exodontia in rural Nigerian children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the reasons for exodontia in children attending a general dental practice in Uselu, Edo State.
  
  
  METHODS
  All pediatric patients that had extraction between January 2006 and December 2008 in a general dental practice in Uselu were recruited for this prospective survey. The data collected include age, sex, reason for extraction and tooth extracted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 756 extractions were done during the survey period. Female constituted 57.4% of treated patients. Caries was the most frequently reason for childhood exodontia (82%). The deciduous teeth were mostly extracted (66.1%) than permanent teeth (33.9%). Deciduous molar accounted for 42.6% of all exodontia in children. Mandibular teeth were more frequently extracted (60%) than maxillary teeth (40%). Exodontia was also more on the right side of the mouth and lower right quadrant
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey highlights the need for extensive prevention programs targeted at rural children with high caries risk.
authors.affiliation: Dpt. Periodontics, University of Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Odai
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Azodo
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Ezeja
authors.forename: O N
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Obuekwe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005892:Gingivitis, Necrotizing Ulcerative / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery; D009549:Nigeria; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000601:surgery