Abstract:
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of panoramic radiographic findings
and clinical findings among dental patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Kenya.
Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted at the Radiology and
Imaging department and dental department at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital from September, 2019
to June, 2020. A total of 93 consenting patients were enrolled using systematic random sampling.
Standard chart review forms were administered, and clinical examination findings documented.
Panoramic radiograph findings were then discussed with a consultant radiologists and findings recorded.
Descriptive statistics were carried out. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and
proportions, and reported in tables. Numerical variables were summarized as median and interquartile
ranges. Cross tabulation was done to compare clinical examination and panoramic radiograph findings
where total raw agreement was reported as proportions.
Results: 93 patients whose ages ranged from 5-73 years with a mean of 29 years were included into the
study. Radiographic features of dental caries were present in 54% of panoramic radiographs compared to
clinical examination (50.5%) while 23.7% of radiographs revealed impacted teeth compared to clinical
examination (19.4%). Radiographic features of periodontitis were observed in 14% compared to clinical
examination (16.1%). Fractures (12.9%) were observed radiographically compared to (10.7%) clinically.
Periapical lesions (8.6%) were observed radiographically compared to clinical examination (6.4%).
Temporo-mandibular disorder (6.5%) were observed both on radiographs and clinical examination.
Radiographic features of missing teeth (3.2%) were observed compared to clinical examination (1.1%)
while only 1.1% of malpositioned teeth were observed radiographically compared to clinical examination
(2.2%). Notably, mandibular lesions (3.2%) and nasal congestion (14%) were only discovered
radiographically. The overall raw agreement between panoramic radiograph and clinical examination was
75.3% (70/93) with a p value of less than 0.001.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that all patients presenting
with dental conditions should be done panoramic radiograph to improve diagnosis. Moi Teaching and
Referral Hospital and the Ministry of Health to consider routine panoramic radiographs in the guidelines
for the assessment of dental patients in all the hospitals offering, dental health services
