Assessing pediatric dental care access and clinical treatments: A focus on socioeconomic influences in Iraq

Aim: This exploratory study aims to investigate the dental services provided to children at the Pedodontic and Preventive Clinic within a dental school in Iraq. Materials and methods: A total of 778 children participated in this study over an 8-month period in 2023. Socioeconomic and clinical information was collected from the children's case sheets, including dental status, treatment plans, and treatments performed. Written informed consent was obtained from parents prior to the study's commencement, and ethical approval was granted by two ethical committees. Results: Both genders were represented in the study, with a slightly higher number of boys than girls. The largest age group included children aged 8-9, followed by those aged 6-7 and 10-11. Tooth extractions were the most commonly performed treatments, followed by fillings and prophylaxis, with prophylaxis including fluoride treatment being less frequent. Boys and girls showed similar trends in the types of treatments received (extraction and prophylaxis), while other treatments (such as pulpotomy, pulpectomy, prophylaxis with fluoride, indirect pulp capping, filling, and mass excavation) exhibited varying percentages between genders. Conclusion: The study concluded that variations in the utilization of dental services were influenced by sociodemographic factors, and certain dental treatments were performed more frequently based on parental requests and the decisions of senior professionals.