Opinions of Nigerian dental consultants on ideal content current qualityand attitudes to referrals

The current study was designed to ascertain the opinion of a cross-section of Nigerian dental consultants on: current quality of referral sent to dental specialists; what should constitute the ideal content of referral letters and to ascertain their opinion on attitudes of colleagues to referrals. The study was conducted using a structure questionnaire hand delivered to a crosssection ofNigerian dental consultants. Information requested includes: demographic variables; current quality; constituents of a quality referrals and current attitudes to referrals. The respondents were asked to rate theirresponses to the questionnaire items on a 3-point and 5-point Likert scale respectively. Only 6.23%(SD± 7.66) referralswas perceived as excellent,whilemost of them, 42.63% (SD± 31.51) was reported as adequate. The result shows that response to referral is not always prompt while feedback to referral is hardly provided.Undergraduate students are hardly taught the art of referralwriting.The consultants agreed that date of referrals, patient's name and address, accurate description of complaints, history of patient's complaint and steps taken by the practitioner so far, should be included in a quality referral. The quality of referral sent to dental specialties at themomentwas considered unsatisfactory.The consultants agreed that date of referral, patient's name and address, accurate description of complaints and steps taken by the practitioner so far, should be included in a quality referral.Keywords: Referral letters, dental consultants, content, quality

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Education and Management

Objective: The coronavirus disease is a highly infectious disease of global concern. It poses a severe threat to the lives of patients, hospital staff, students, and their trainers. The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on dental education and management is diverse and deep. This study is designed to highlight the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on dental education and management.Materials and Methods: The Medline and google databases were searched for relevant publications by combining the following mesh terms, COVID-19, dental education, impact and residency. Relevant information was extracted from all the selected papers. Personal experience as a trainer, clinician and administrator was included in the report. Results: Because of the pandemic, patients flow nosedived, routine clinical procedures, academic activities, students/residents\u27 rotation were suspended, and some of the students/ residents had their examinations or time of graduation postponed. The use of virtual platform became the norm for learning and meeting. A new and broader PPE protocol was prescribed when carrying out dental procedures. Residents and students must ensure physical distancing, even as it relates to the hanging of clothes in the changing room. Blended and self-directed learning was brought into the fore of medical education.Conclusion: Government and professional bodies should make conscious efforts to cushion the adverse effects of corona &nbsp

Aesthetic outcome following prosthetic rehabilitation after ablative maxillary surgery. A Preliminary Study

Objective: Psychological impact of poor dento-facial aesthetics constitutes a major part of the low quality of life in maxillectomy patients. The  purpose of this study was to present the aesthetic outcome following prosthetic rehabilitation after ablative maxillary surgery.Method: All consecutive patients that had surgery for tumours affecting the upper jaw and gave their consent were included in the study.  Classification of maxillectomy was based on the Brown's classification. Facial attractiveness after final prosthetic rehabilitation was graded by two independent observers with a modified Liekert scale into four grades. For the purpose of comparison of facial attractiveness, the patients were divided into 2 groups: those below 2A and those above 2A.Result: Seventeen patients with tumours affecting the upper jaw were operated. Ten (58.8%) were females and 7 (41.2%) were males. The age range was 6-65 years, mean (SD), 37.6 (18.5) years. Two (11.8%) cases were children. There were 3 (17.6%) cases in the level 1, one case was 1A, two cases were 1B; 11 (64.7%) cases in level 2, 8 (47.1%) cases were 2A, 3 (17.6%) cases were 2B and 3 (17.6%) cases in level 3. Two (11.8%) patients, both in the level 2B had moderately attractive appearances and also, 2(11.8%) patients in the levels 2B and 3B respectively had least attractive appearances.Conclusion: Majority of our patients had resections at levels 2A and below and there was no obvious difference between the two groups, immediate prosthetic obturation may have minimized collapse of midface in those above 2A. Key words: Classification, Maxillectomy, Prosthetic rehabilitation, Aesthetic

Sectional Removable Partial Denture Design for the Treatment of Partial Mandibulectomy Patient: A Case Report

Surgical removal of tumors in the mandible may result in discontinuity of bone which may require surgical reconstruction of the defect to provide a suitable tissue foundation for an acceptable prosthesis. Failure of reconstructive surgery for some mandibulectomy patients often make prosthetic rehabilitation extremely difficult. Due to financial constraints an acrylic sectional partial denture was fabricated for a class VI mandibular resection patient who had undergone anterior segmental mandibulectomy with no surgical reconstruction. The case was challenging and the prosthesis was well tolerated during a 6 months follow-up review

Sectional removable partial denture design for the treatment of partial mandibulectomy patient: a case report

Surgical removal of tumors in the mandible may result in discontinuity of bone which may require surgical reconstruction of the defect to provide a suitable tissue foundation for an acceptable prosthesis. Failure of reconstructive surgery for some mandibulectomy patients often make prosthetic rehabilitation extremely difficult. Due to financial constraints an acrylic sectional partial denture was fabricated for a class VI mandibular resection patient who had undergone anterior segmental mandibulectomy with no surgical reconstruction. The case was challenging and the prosthesis was well tolerated during a 6 months follow-up review

Effects of coconut oil on the weight and blood status of grazing cattle fed concentrate as supplementary feed

This study was conducted to determine the effect of coconut oil inclusion on the supplementary feed intake, weight gain, haematology and serum biochemistry of grazing cattle. Twenty-five (25)White Fulani cattle weighing 138±2.21 kg were randomly allotted to five treatment groups of coconut oil administration (0 g/day, 50 g/day, 100 g/day, 150 g/day and 200 g/day) in a completely randomised design. The animals were grazed for 84 days and supplemented with concentrate throughout the experimental period. Data on feed intake, weight gain and blood profile of cattle were analysed using one-way analysis of variance. Results obtained showed that coconut oil did not affect (P>0.05) the supplementary concentrate intake of grazing cattle. Lower (P<0.05) weight gain was observed with animals fed coconut oil at 50 g/day (9.64 kg) but increased to 17.64 kg with 150 g/day. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin and white blood cells were not affected (P>0.05) by coconut oil. The highest (P<0.05) red blood cell (6.91×1012/L) and platelet counts (67.00×109/L) were recorded at 150 g/day coconut oil. Total cholesterol, HDL and LDL values were increased (P<0.05) with increasing levels of coconut oil. Values obtained for HDL (166.00 mg/dL to 145.15 mg/dL) and LDL (135.00 mg/dL to 88.40 mg/dL) decreased when the level of oil was increased from 150g/day to 200g/day. Administering coconut oil up to 150 g/day is recommended as it increases the bodyweight gain of cattle andmaintain the normal PCVand haemoglobin concentration of the animals

Tooth shade presentations at a University Teaching Hospital

Aim: To determine common tooth shades among randomly selected subjects in our hospital.Background: Dento-facial aesthetics is a subject of concern to everyone. Disharmony in colour between natural and prosthetic teeth is a common cause of dissatisfaction with prosthetic rehabilitation. The pattern of tooth shade presentation in our centre is yet to be reported.Materials and Methods: This comparative observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital among 300 randomly selected adult subjects  who had full complement of upper anterior teeth. Vita Classic shade guide was employed for the study. To prevent bias, the identification codes on the shade tabs were blinded. An upper left central incisor was employed as the index tooth. Standard principles for tooth shades selection were followed. The shade tab that matched or close to the index tooth was selected for every individual. Age and gender of the subjects were recorded.Chi Sq statistical test was performed to determine the relationship between gender and tooth shades. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.Results: Most of the subjects were females, 162 (54.0%) and the age range was18-75yrs. The commonest tooth shade among the subjects was Vita Classic A2 (15.7%) followed by A1 (12.7%) and A3 (10.3%). No case of D1 (0%) was seen and only 2 cases (0.7%) of C4 were encountered. Overall, shade A was the most frequently encountered Hue, 142 (47.3%) followed by shade B, 71 (23.7%). Shade C was the least encountered Hue, 36 (12.0%). There was no statistically significant relationship between gender and shade(χ²=12.799,P=0.618).Conclusion: The commonest tooth shade among the subjects was Vita Classic A2 and the least was D1. Shade A was the most frequently  encountered Hue. Keyword: aesthetics, shade guide, tooth shad

Effect of additives on fermentation of cassava leaf silage and ruminal fluid of west african dwarf goats

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of different additives on the fermentation quality of ensiled cassava leaves and its effects on the ruminal fluid parameters using eighteen West African dwarf goats. Cassava leaves were ensiled alone (ECF), with 5 % (w/w) molasses (ECFM) and caged layer waste (ECFP) respectively as additives for 30 days. Results of chemical composition of the additive and non-additive silages indicated that ensiling with 5 % molasses reduced the DM content from 252.4 g/kg in ECF to 238.9 g/ kg in ECFM and increased with 5 % caged layer waste (ECFP) to 267.6 g/kg. The CP content of ECF was 207.6 g/kg and this decreased to 198.5 g/kg DM in ECFM. Addition of molasses and caged layer waste caused a reduction in the HCN contents from 95.8 mg/kg in non-additive silage (ECF) to 89.3 mg/kg in ECFP and 84.7 mg/kg in ECFM. The mean pH of non-additive silage of 3.66 was significantly (p<0.05) different from the value of 4.29 in ECFP. Animals fed silage ensiled with molasses (ECFM) had a DM intake of 503.42 g/d, followed by values of 485.17 g/d and 458.43 g/d for animals fed ECF and ECFP respectively. Crude protein intake was similar in ECF and ECFM but higher (p<0.05) than ECFP and ranged from 161.28- 172.71 g/d. The ruminal fluid parameters indicated no significant differences (p>0.05) in the pH, BC and lactic acid concentration in both the non- additive and additive silages. Ammonia-nitrogen concentration (NH 3 -N) however, ranged signi- ficantly (p<0.05) from 15.93 ± 0.20 (mg/dL) in ECF to 22.43 ± 0.61 (mg/dL) in ECFP. The study showed that ensiling cassava leaves with 5 % molasses and caged layer waste improved the silage conditions and the ruminal fluid parameters of West African Dwarf goats.Se realizó un estudio para investigar los efec- tos de diferentes aditivos sobre la calidad de la fermentación de ensilaje de hojas de yuca y sus efectos sobre los parámetros del fluido ruminal en dieciocho cabras Enanas de África Occidental. Las hojas de yuca fueron ensiladas, durante 30 días, solas (ECF) y con adición de 5 % de melaza (ECFM) o excretas de ponedoras en batería (ECFP) como aditivos. La adición de 5 % de melaza redujo el contenido de materia seca, 252,4 g/kg en ECF, a 238,9 g/kg en ECFM; con adición de 5 % de excretas (ECFP) la MS aumentó hasta 267,6 g/kg. El nivel de PB (207,6 g/kg en ECF) disminuyó a 198,5 g/kg en ECFM. Tanto la adición de melazas o excretas determinaron la reducción del conteni- do de HCN desde 98,5 g/kg en ECF (sin aditivos) a 89,3 en ECFP y 84,7 g/kg en ECFM. El pH medio del ensilaje sin aditivos (3,66) fue menor (p<0,05) que el de ECFP (4,29). La ingesta en los animales alimentados con ensilado melazado (ECFM) fue de 503,43 g/d; 485,17 g/d para ECF y 458,43 g/d para ECFP. La ingestión de PB varió entre 161,28 y 172,71 g/d, siendo similar en ECF y ECFM y más baja (p<0,05) en EFCP. Los parámetros del fluido ruminal no mostraron diferencias significativas en pH, capacidad tampón o concentración de ácido láctico para ninguno de los tipos de ensilado. Sin embargo, la concentración de nitrógeno amoniacal (NH 3 -N) varió (p<0,05) entre 15,93 ± 0,20 (mg/dL) en ECF a 22,43 ± 0,61 (mg/dL) en ECFP. El trabajo demostró que el ensilaje de hojas de yuca con 5 % de melazas o excretas de aves en batería, mejoró su calidad y repercutió favorablemente sobre los parámetros ruminales de cabras Enanas de África Occidental

Effect of manure type and season of harvest on the forage yield, quality and macro-elements of two Panicum maximum varieties

A two year study was carried out to evaluate the effect of manure type and season on forage yield, quality and macro elements of two Panicum maximum varieties. The manures used are those of cattle, swine and poultry, the two P. maximum varieties are Local and Ntchisi whereas the seasons are the rainy and dry seasons. The grass samples were harvested and yield measured from each plot, the samples harvested were used in the determination of the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and macro-elements (P, Ca, K, Mg and Na). The grasses harvested in the rainy season (14.55 vs 15.76 tha-1 for 2010 and 2011 respectively) had better yield (P&lt;0.05) than those of the dry season (12.2 vs 13.32 tha-1 for 2010 and 2011 respectively) in both year of the study. Grasses fertilized with swine manure outweighed others in both years  (16.65 vs 18.51 tha-1 for 2010 and 2011 respectively) and P. maximum Ntchisi was  performed better than P. maximum Local. The crude protein (CP) content of grasses harvested in the rainy season (104.20 vs 110.30 g kg-1DM for 2010 and 2011  respectively) was higher than those of dry season, the CP content of grasses  fertilized with cattle dung was highest in the first year and grasses fertilized with swine manure had the highest CP content in the second year, though statistically similar to those fertilized with cattle dung. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of the grasses fertilized with poultry manure (594.01 vs 580.12 g kg-1DM for 2010 and 2011 respectively) was the least (P&lt;0.05) for both years and P. maximum Ntchisi had the least NDF  content. The grasses harvested in the dry season in both years recorded higher (P&lt;0.05) values for P (3.18 vs 3.21 g kg-1DM), Ca (5.99 vs 5.82 g kg-1DM) and Mg (2.23 vs 2.25 g kg-1DM) concentrations for 2010 and 2011  respectively, while the grasses harvested in the rainy season had higher (P&lt;0.05) values for K (8.79 vs 8.83 g kg-1DM) and Na (1.63 vs 1.52 g kg-1DM)    concentrations for 2010 and 2011 respectively. Grasses fertilized with swine manure had the highest P concentration, Ca   concentration in the first year was  recorded for unfertilized grasses. Grasses fertilized with cattle dung had the highest Mg (2.13 vs 2.18 g kg-1DM) concentration in 2010 and 2011 respectively whereas the K (8.87 vs 8.61 g kg-1DM) and Na (1.71 vs 1.90 g kg-1DM) concentrations for 2010 and 2011 respectively were recorded for grasses fertilized with swine manure and unfertilized ones respectively. Panicum maximum Ntchisi had higher values of Ca (5.63 vs 5.49 g kg-1DM), Mg (2.23 vs 2.01 g kg-1DM), K (8.38 vs 7.93 g kg-1DM) and Na (1.34 vs 1.29 g kg-1DM) concentration for 2010 and 2011 respectively. It could be concluded that manured P. maximum varieties are a very good source of macro minerals for ruminant livestock.Keywords: Mineral, grasses, ruminant, Guinea grass, concentration

Forage elemental concentrations and ratios of two groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) varieties: effect of fertilizer type

Forages are the main source of minerals needed for growth and maintenance of bone, osmotic balance, muscle and nerve function, body enzymes, hormones, body cells and general well being of animals. This study was carried out to evaluate effect of fertilizer type on the elemental concentrations and ratios of two groundnut fodders. The study was a 3 x 2 factorial experiment in a split-plot design with the fertilizer type (poultry droppings, NPK and the control) as the main plot and variety (SAMNUT 22 and Local) as the sub-plot which amounts to six treatments with three replicates. The Ca value has affected by fertilizer type ranged from 12.95 g/kg DM to 16.50 g/kg DM for the organicfertilized groundnut forage and the inorganic-fertilized, respectively. The two varieties that were inorganically-fertilized had the highest Ca contents. The phosphorus (2.65 g/kg DM) content of SAMNUT 22 variety was higher than that of the Local variety. A higher value of Fe was recorded for the Local variety, whereas the organic-fertilized forage had the highest Fe (229.46 mg/kg DM) content. The Ca:P ratio as influenced by varietal difference was significant with the Local variety having a higher ratio (8.09). The K:(Ca+Mg) ratio was affected by the fertilizer type, with the organic fertilized forage having a higher ratio. It can be concluded that the two varieties are a good source of calcium and could also help to combat grass tetany in cattle