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summary  The aim of this study is to document reasons for tooth loss in disadvantaged Jordanians who seek free dental care at the University Hospital/Dental Clinics. A 4‐year (1998–2001) prospective study was undertaken involving 2200 randomly selected patients from this subpopulation. Of their 3069 lost teeth, 46·9% were lost due to caries and its sequel; 18% were lost because of periodontal disease; 8% were lost for a combination of caries and periodontal disease; 19·4% for pre‐prosthetic reasons; 4% for orthodontic reasons; 2·8% for eruption problems and 0·7% due to trauma. Logistic regression analysis for reasons of tooth loss in this sector revealed that caries and its sequel was the predominant cause of tooth loss in patients ≤40 years of age whereas periodontal extractions were predominant for the above 40‐year‐old group. In addition, the most frequently extracted teeth, due to caries, were lower first and second molars while lower incisors were most commonly extracted for periodontal disease. Premolars were extracted for orthodontic reasons, upper incisors for trauma, third molars for eruption problems and canines for pre‐prosthetic reasons. In conclusion, dental caries was the main reason for removal of teeth in adults attending the University of Jordan free dental casualty clinic. Therefore, in order to reduce the rate of dental extractions in this sector of the Jordanian population, efforts should focus on prevention and treatment of caries. Efforts should also be made to change the values and beliefs of this sector towards the importance of natural dentition.

The types of foods and drinks consumed as snacks by young Jordanian children were similar to those of Western countries. In the absence of more widespread oral health promotion measures and in the presence of high prevalence and severity of caries,the oral health of Jordanian children is a matter of concern.

Objective To investigate the association between type of food and drink consumption, sociodemographic factors and prevalence and severity of caries in 4-5-year-old Jordanian children. Method Two-stage random sampling procedure was used to select children enrolled in kindergartens in Amman. Clinical examinations were carried out by one examiner. Mothers completed a questionnaire relating to sociodemographic factors and food and drink consumption. Results Snack foods were consumed by a high percentage of children. Amongst the most popular 'high in NME sugar snacks', confectionery was reported to be regularly consumed by 76% and biscuits and cakes by 71% of them. More than 50% had carbonated drinks. Children from a lower social class, attending a kindergarten with lower tuition fees had more dessert, squashes and more teas with sugar. When all variables were considered, consumption of confectionery was independently associated with caries prevalence and consumption of teas with sugar was independently associated with caries severity. Conclusion The types of foods and drinks consumed as snacks by young Jordanian children were similar to those of Western countries. In the absence of more widespread oral health promotion measures and in the presence of high prevalence and severity of caries, the oral health of Jordanian children is a matter of concern.Sugars, and more particularly sucrose, are concluded to be the principal dietary cause of caries. 1 Often contained in manufactured foods and drinks, sugars form a component of most human diets. In the UK, for example, sugars are believed to contribute 10-20% of food energy. 2 It has been suggested that differences in diet and particularly sugar intake may be an important determinant of the variation in caries seen between social classes. 3 However, the relationship between sugar consumption and caries is not always clear. Much of the evidence is circumstantial and has been open to criticism. Within the last two decades some reports have shown relatively clear associations between differing measures of sugar intake and occurence of caries 4-7 but others have shown differently. 8,9 Some studies have also failed to demonstrate clear social class differences in consumption of sugar-containing foods. 5,10 It has been suggested that the association between sugar consumption and caries is weak in countries where caries prevalence is low and that this failure may be partly a result of the introduction of preventive methods, particularly those involving fluoride. 11-14 This will not be true in developing countries where preventive methods are less widely available and where sugar consumption may be higher and have a more detrimental effect. 15,16 However, there is relatively little information about the amount of sugar consumed and patterns of consumption in developing countries. The information available suggests that sugar consumption is increasing and that it is higher in the Middle East than in other developing areas. 16,17 Past failure to demonstrate a relationship between ...

Caries prevalence and severity in children attending kindergarten schools in Amman are similar to those seen in studies of children of the same age in Saudi Arabia and higher than those in children in westernised countries such as the UK. As in other countries, caries experience in young children in Amman is clearly related to social factors. Findings illustrate the need for effective oral health promotion accessible to all social groups in this middle eastern capital. Fee scale of the schools appears to be an effective measure to use in designing appropriate strategies.