Distribution of panoramic radiograph examination among pediatric patients at Dental Hospital of Hasanuddin University

Distribusi pemeriksaan radiografi panoramik pada pasien anak di RSGMP Universitas Hasanuddin

Abstract

Panoramic radiographs are used to diagnose oral diseases, monitor dentofacial development, and evaluate treatment proce-dures. This article discusses panoramic radiographs in paediatric patients under 6 years of age according to age, gender, di-sease diagnosis at RSGMP Universitas Hasanuddin. In this descriptive observational study, cross-sectional data collection was used on all paediatric patients who underwent panoramic radiography from January to December 2023. The reasons for taking panoramic radiographs were categorised as early childhood caries, oral pathologies, dentoalveolar fractures, developmental ano-malies, and others. A total of 202 panoramic radiographs were taken from paediatric patients aged 2-6 years; 82 children aged 5 years were the most common. Girls accounted for 107 of the patients. The most common case diagnosis was early childhood caries with 167 children. It was concluded that the use of panoramic radiographs in paediatric patients is not intended as a gene-ral screening. It should be limited to children under 6 years of age unless absolutely necessary.