Hand hygiene amongst dental professionals in a tertiary dental clinic

Objective: To evaluate hand washing attitude and practices among Dentists and Dental Students treating patients in a Nigerian Tertiary Dental Clinic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of Dentists and Dental Students treating patients in University of Benin Teaching Hospital was conducted between February and March 2010. Data collection tool was a 28-item, self-administered questionnaire, which elicited information on demography, handwashing practices, material used for handwashing, methods ofdrying hands after washing, attitudes towards prevention of spread of infection by handwashing measures in dental practice, barrier to regular hand washing, information need on handwashing and mode in which they would desire to receive the needed information. Results: One-quarter (25.7%) of the respondents washes their hands before wearing gloves and 98.1% wash their hands when they are visibly soiled. Less than half (46.7%) washed their hand when the worn gloves are torn. Majority strongly agreed that hand washing helps to prevent transmission of infection to patients (91.4%), health workers (92.4%) and health workers family members (89.5%). The main barriers to regular hand hygiene were inadequate facilities, forgetfulness and lack of time. About 69.5% desired more information on hand hygiene with the most indicated area of information needs being the indications and steps in hand washing in form of seminars and pamphlets. Conclusion: This study revealed positive attitude to hand washing, inadequate hand washing practices and poor monitoring of hand hygiene in the health institution. The studied dental professionals however know that hand washing plays an important role in the prevention of cross infection.Keywords: hand hygiene, dental professionals, tertiary, dental clinic, infection contro

Influence of Socio-demographic Factors on Perception of Midline Diastema

Objective: Socio-demographic factors have been said to affect the perception of midline diastema. Aesthetic importance of maxillary midline diastema varies in individuals and there is no common consensus on the registration of diameter of maxillary midline diastema. The aim of the study was therefore to determine the acceptable width of diastema among a group of Nigerian subjects and the effect of their socio-demographic factors on the perception of midline diastema. Method: Subjects aged 19-45 yrs were recruited from the 6 geopolitical zone of Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered to  participants. The questionnaire sought for information such as age, gender, profession, presence of midline diastema and created diastema. The questionnaire included a coloured smile photograph with digitally altered varying sizes of diastema (2mm - 6mm). Subject rated the different coloured photographs using the rating scale (very attractive =1, attractive =2, accepted =3, unattractive =4, and very unattractive =5). Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 (SPPS Inc, Chicago IL). Result: A total of 374 participants aged 19 – 45 years was involved in this study. Majority (52.1%) were females and mean age was 37.07+/-0.63  years. Only 30.2% had midline diastema out of which 12% was artificially created. Majority (86.7%) of the created diastema was done by the dentist.  Age (p=0.024) and level of education (p=0.017) had a significant relationship with perception of midline diastema. Older subjects and those with lower educational level considered midline diastema a sign of beauty. Majority of the participants perceived the 2-4mm midline diastema attractive and 5-7mm midline diastema unattractive. Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that a relationship exists between age and perception of midline diastema. The acceptable width of  the midline diastema in this study is 2mm-4mm. Key words: Socio-demographics, midline, diastema, anterior spacing

Provision of Oral Care for Hospitalized Patients among Nurses

Effective oral care for hospitalized patients is known to improve patient's quality of life, prevent serious infections and promote health and well-being. To assess the type and frequency of oral care delivered to hospitalized patients by nurses and to evaluate possible barriers. A cross-sectional survey of all cadres of nurses caring for hospitalized patients in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, was conducted in 2010. The questionnaire elicited information on the demography, provision of oral care, oral care methods, frequency of care and barriers to rendering oral care to hospitalized patients. A total of 384 questionnaires were completed and returned giving a 96.0% response rate. Majority (96.1%) believed that oral care should be given priority in hospitalized patients but fewer respondents (81.8%) provided oral care for hospitalized patients. The frequency of oral care was majorly once daily by 65.6% of the respondents. The preventive oral care services commonly rendered were toothbrushing (28.0%), use of mouthwashes (24.8%), oral toileting with warm saline (18.5%). Lack of oral care materials and uncooperative patients were identified barriers to the performance of oral care services. Half of the respondents (51.6%) claimed to have enough training on the effective provision of oral care for hospitalized patients. Atotal of 50.3% think that nurses are in better position to render care to hospitalized patients. The overall provision of oral care for hospitalized patients by the nurses revealed some deficiencies that can be corrected by ensuring adequate supplies and knowledge to respond to uncooperative patients.Key words: oral care, hospitalized patients, nurse