Dental caries pattern of first and second permanent molars and treatment needs among adolescents in Lagos

Objective: The study was carried out to assess the dental caries pattern of first and second permanent molars and treatment needs among adolescent Nigerians in Lagos. Method: Examinations for dental caries and treatment needs in accordance with the criteria of the World Health Organization Basic Methods for oral health surveys were carried out among six hundred 11-16 year-old urban Nigerians (307 boys and 293 girls) from six schools in Lagos. Results: A low caries prevalence rate and severity was found in this study. Only 421(2.5%) teeth were carious in 143(23.8%) subjects. First permanent molars had the highest caries prevalence rate (9.3%), followed by second permanent molars (7.8%), while premolars (0.13%), incisors (0.08%) and canines (0%) had the lowest rates. Pit and fissure caries on occlusal surfaces was the most prevalent lesion as evidenced by the fact that one-surface filling was the commonest restoration need among the subjects. Caries prevalence rate was higher in the lower jaw than upper jaw but similar on left and right sides of each jaw. Conclusion: There was a higher caries prevalence rate in the first permanent molars compared to the second permanent molars in this study contrary to previous Nigerian studies. This suggests a change in lifestyle and diet towards consumption of sugars at an earlier age when these teeth are still very susceptible to caries. Keywords: Caries pattern, permanent molars, urban adolescentsNigerian Dental Journal Vol. 15 (2) 2007: pp. 78-8

Dental fluorosis and other enamel disorders in 12 year-old Nigerian children

No Abstract Available Key words: Dental fluorosis; enamel disorders; 12 year olds Journal of Community Medicine & Primary Health Care Vol.16(1) 2004: 25-2

Prevalence of malocclusion among 12 year-old school children in Lagos State

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of dentofacial anomalies presenting as malocclusion in 12 year-old Nigerian school children in the Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study, which involved a sample of 200 children, was carried out employing the World Health Organization Pathfinder Methodology for oral health surveys. Malocclusion was recorded as being absent, slight or moderate/severe based on the WHO criteria as outlined in the methodology. Results: Sixty-eight per cent (68%) of the children had normal occlusion i.e. absence of malocclusion. Slight malocclusion was present in 22%, while 10% had moderate to severe malocclusion. There was no sex predilection for malocclusion. Among the ethnic groups, there was no significant difference in prevalence of malocclusion. Conclusion: In view of the handicapping effects of dentofacial anomalies, which tend to affect a person's aesthetics, masticatory function, speech and indeed social acceptability, there is a need to institute measures, which would help in the prevention of some of the malocclusion types seen in the study. The establishment of school oral healthcare programme, which would also provide preventive orthodontic care, is advocated. However, the small number seen among some ethnic groups precludes the extrapolation of this finding to the larger population. There is a need to carry out national surveys. KEY WORDS: Malocclusion; 12 year-old children; Ethnic groups; Lagos State Journal of Community Medicine & Primary Health Care Vol.16(2) 2004: 43-4