Assessment of First Permanent Molar Management in the Pediatric Dentistry Department of the Casablanca Center for Dental Consultations and Treatments

Introduction: The first permanent molar (FPM) is a key component of the dentition, ensuring occlusal stability and arch integrity. Its early eruption and masticatory function make it highly susceptible to caries. This study aims to describe therapeutic interventions for FPM based on records of children at-tending the Pediatric Dentistry Department of the Consultation and Dental Treatment Center (CCTD) of Casablanca. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using pediatric patient records collected between September 2018 and July 2019. Data included socio-demographic characteristics, chief complaint, general and psychological status, FPM condition and maturity, treatments performed, adherence, and referrals. Results: Among 365 rec-ords, 98.1% presented at least one decayed FPM. Preventive and restorative treatments predominated (74.6%) compared to pulp therapies (13.8%), prosthetic treatments (1.1%), and extractions (1.6%). Psychological assess-ment showed 87.7% of children were cooperative. Twenty-two percent abandoned pulp therapy before completion. Most FPM were treated in a sin-gle session, though up to seven sessions were required in some cases. Non-carious conditions, particularly molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH), were rare. Discussion: The high prevalence of decayed FPM con-firms that dental caries remain a major issue in Moroccan children. The pre-dominance of preventive and restorative treatments suggests early detection and timely management. Limited pulp therapies and extractions indicate ef-fective preservation of tooth vitality. Treatment abandonment highlights challenges related to compliance and treatment duration, while the high co-operation rate reflects effective behavioral management. Low MIH incidence confirms caries as the main cause of FPM deterioration. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the importance of integrating preventive dentistry into pediatric practice to reduce FPM caries and minimize the need for multiple therapeutic sessions, optimizing oral health outcomes.