4 research outputs found
Salivary Lactoferrin Levels, Disease Severity and Correlates in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis Presenting to a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria.
Objective: This study compared the concentration of salivary lactoferrin in patients with and without chronic periodontitis and investigated correlations with clinical variables of the disease.
Methods: The study included 102 participants (51 cases and 51 controls) who presented at the Periodontology Clinic of University of Benin Teaching Hospital and met the selection criteria of ‘4mm and above’ periodontal probing depths (PPD) and positive bleeding on probing (BOP) using community periodontal index (CPI) probe. Healthy participants (controls) were patients that had PPD less than or equal to 3mm, absence of BOP and simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) not more than 1.2. Baseline OHI-S and CPI scores were recorded. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the mean (SD) lactoferrin concentration of control participants 5.27(0.59) mg/l and case participants 6.74(0.61) mg/l (p<0.001). Participants with probing pocket depths (PPD) of 6mm or more had a significantly higher mean concentration [6.85(0.06) mg/l] than that of those with PPD 4-5mm [6.71(0.67) mg/l] (p < 0.001) Lactoferrin levels were highest in participants with ‘poor’ oral hygiene [6.85(0.60) mg/l] and lowest in those with ‘good’ oral hygiene [6.65(0.83) mg/l].
Conclusion: Salivary lactoferrin levels were higher among participants with chronic periodontitis than those without chronic periodontitis and correlates positively with the main clinical characteristics of the diseas
Preventing HIV Transmission in Nigeria: Role of the Dentists
Background: As healthcare providers, dentists are in a unique position
to foster behavioural changes that are needed to stem the spread of HIV
infection. This study was conducted to assess the role of dentists in
the prevention of HIV transmission in Nigeria. Methods: This
descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from June 2006 to
January 2007. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 300
practising dentists from all parts of Nigeria. Data were collected
through a self-administered questionnaire that focused on dentist
demographic details, attitudes towards treating HIV-infected persons,
involvement in public or clinic-based patient education on HIV and
infection control. Results: Two hundred and fifty-seven questionnaires
were returned completed, constituting an 86% response rate. The
majority of respondents (77.8%) had their dental practice in the
southern part of Nigeria, and 89% were in the age bracket of 21-40
years. HIV education by dentists was ranked as poor, as less than a
quarter of respondents routinely educated patients on HIV in the
clinic. Only a few dentists (33.3%) were involved in public
enlightenment programme on HIV in the previous 12 months. Most of the
respondents (93%) reported a willingness to treat HIV-infected patients
while observing universal precautions. Good infection barrier practices
were adopted by 89.9% of dentists, and disposable cartridges for local
anaesthetic agents and dental needles were not reused by 93.4% of the
respondents. Autoclaving was the most widely used sterilization method
(73.2%), but less than half of the respondents knew how to ascertain
whether sterilization was effective. Conclusion: This study revealed
that efforts by Nigerian dentists to prevent HIV transmission are
presently less than optimal. Therefore, there is a need for
sensitisation and motivation through seminars, workshops and lectures