Unnoticed Oral Health Issues and the Role of Preventive Dentistry: A University Hospital-Based Study

Background: This study aimed to determine the reasons for patients’ visits to a university dental hospital, assess the frequency and types of undetected dental issues, and examine whether regular dental check-ups are associated with a lower prevalence of such problems.Methods: A total of 1,050 individuals aged 15 and above who presented to a university dental hospital were included in this descriptive observational study. Demographic data were collected through structured questionnaires. Clinical oral examinations were conducted to identify both self-reported and undetected dental issues. The frequency of these prob-lems was compared according to education level and dental check-up habits.Results: The most visited departments were Endodontics (44.4%) and Restorative Dentistry (38.3%). While 38.4% of patients reported pain, 42.9% were asymptomatic. Notably, 99.0% of participants had at least one undetected dental problem, with scaling (90.3%), dental caries (55.3%), and tooth extractions (55.3%) being the most common. Individuals attending regular dental check-ups and those with higher educational attainment had significantly fewer undetected problems (p 0.001).Conclusion: Undetected dental problems are highly prevalent, even among asymptomatic patients. Routine dental check-ups and higher education are significantly associated with a reduction in these issues. These findings underscore the importance of preventive care and oral health education.