Perception of patients attending a tertiary hospital in Nigeria about good dental practice: A pilot study

Background: Criteria for a good dental practice as expressed by patients have influence on their behavior in terms of compliance with clinical advice, less pain and anxiety and more utilization of dental care.Objective: To assess the opinion of patients attending the dental clinic of a tertiary hospital Southwestern, Nigeria about their perception of a good dental practice.Materials and Methods: A 16 item semi‑structured bi‑lingual interviewer‑administered questionnaire comprising socio‑demographic characteristics and 24 criteria of a good dental practice generated by clinicians and patients was administered to 156 patients who were blinded from knowing which criteria were clinicians’ or patients’ criteria. Patients were then asked to pick 12 criteria out of the 24 criteria that they considered of greater priority. Frequency of the most picked criteria in a descending order was determined. Student’s t‑test was used to compare mean scores at P < 0.05.Results: The mean age of study participants was 36.7 ± 13.8 years. The majority 139 (89.1%) of the study participants ranked ‘‘clinician’s procedure should be as painless as possible’’ as the most important clinician determined criteria of a good dental practice while 31 (19.9%) of them ranked hotlines available for emergencies as the least. The majority 133 (85.2%) of the study participants ranked ‘‘sterile procedure and proper handling of equipment’’ as the most important patient determined criteria of a good dental practice while 30 (19.2%) of them ranked patients being attended by just one clinician as the least. There was a statistically significant difference between mean scores of clinicians’ criteria and patients’ criteria (P = 0.00001), participants ranked more patients’ criteria than clinicians’ criteria.Conclusion: In determining the criteria for a good dental practice, clinicians’ perspective as well as patients’ perspective should be considered.Keywords: Clinicians, dental house officers, good dental practice, patientsNigerian Journal of Clinical Practice • Oct-Dec 2013 • Vol 16 • Issue

Psychosocial Aspect of Anterior Tooth Discoloration among Adolescents in Igbo-Ora, Southwestern Nigeria

Background: Aesthetic problems in adolescence can have a significant effect on their psychosocial development. Abnormalities in tooth color can lead to such problem especially if it affects anterior teeth.Objective: This study therefore assessed the effects of anterior tooth discoloration on the psychosocial well being of adolescents with a view to providing information that will aid the prevention and treatment of this dental problem.Materials and methods: This study was a cross-sectional study involving 384 adolescents aged between 10 and 20years in Igboora southwestern Nigeria. Twenty-six item semi-structured questionnaire comprising variables on demographics and psychosocial effects were researcher-administered. Oral examination of the labial surfaces of the anterior permanent teeth was carried by two examiners. Frequencies and mean were generated. Chi-square and Fischer’s exact tests were used to test associations between categorical variables at (P<0.05).Results: The mean age of participants was 14.7±2.3 years. Ninety four (24.5%) participants perceived that their anterior teeth were discolored, 65 (69.1%) of these did not like the discoloration. Sixty two (65.9%), 47 (50.0%) and 38 (40.4%) respectively reported that it prevented them from freely answering questions, smiling and interacting. After oral examination, 120 (31.2%) subjects had one form of anterior tooth discoloration. The cause of tooth discoloration in the majority 64 (16.7%) of the participants was due to extrinsic stains from compounds incorporated into plaque and calculus. Age group, sex, class of participants and presence of tetracycline stained teeth were significantly related with reported psychosocial problems(p<0.05).Conclusion: About one third of adolescents had anterior tooth discoloration and the majority reported one form of psychosocial problem.Keywords: Psychosocial, Anterior tooth discolouration, Adolescent

Oral health knowledge and practices of clinical medical and dental students in a North- Eastern Nigerian University

Objective: Medical and dental students as future health care professionals should be aware of adequate oral health care. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the knowledge and practices of oral health of clinical medical and dental students in a North-Eastern Nigerian University.Methods: Cross sectional study involving 150 students, comprising 107 medical and 43 dental students. They were interviewed on knowledge of oral health care, oral health practices and psychosocial impact of oral health using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The students were further examined for dental caries and their oral hygiene status. The Student t-test was used to compare means while Chisquare test was used to test associations between categorical variables at p<0.05.Results: The mean ±SD age of the students was 24.5 , males constituted 61.3%. One hundred and twentysix (84.0%) students had good knowledge of oral health care. Forty-two (97.7%) of the dental students had good knowledge while 84 (78.5%) of the medical students had good knowledge (p=0.003). Twenty (46.5%) and 60(56.1%) of dental and medical students respectively had poor oral health practice (p=0.32). Mean ±SD psychosocial impact score was 1.26 ±2.06 and 1.53 ±2.34 for dental and medical students respectively (p=0.68). The prevalence of dental caries and poor oral hygiene was 15(34.9%) and 23(53.5%) for dental students. The corresponding value for medical students were 30(28.0%) and 51(47.6%).Conclusions: There was good knowledge of oral health care among these students. Dental students had better knowledge of oral health care than medical students. They also had better oral health care practices and lower psychosocial impact of oral health than medical students though not statistically significant. Overall, younger age group of students reported higher psychosocial impact of oral health care on daily activities than older ones.Keywords: Oral health, knowledge, behaviour, medical, dental, students, Nigeri

Potential of teledentistry in the delivery of oral health services in developing countries

In developing countries, access to qualified medical personnel especially oral health care specialists by inhabitants of rural and remote areas remain a challenge due to the fact that these personnel are mostly located in urban communities. Teledentistry is an approach that will eliminate the problem of distance between qualified oral health care personnel and potential patients in rural and remote communities. The objective of this review is to investigate the history of teledentistry and its practical application in overcoming the rural-urban oral health care problems.A scoping search of literature using keywords associated with telemedicine and teledentistry and its application was undertaken via PubMed and  Scientific electronic Library Online (SciELO). Literature published in English in the last 10 years (2008 – 2018) were selected. The review summarises the available literature related to origin and method of delivering teledentistry and its use in dental practice and education. It shows that  teledentistry has the ability to improve access to and delivery of oral health care at a relatively lower cost as well as supplementing traditional  teaching methods in dental education. However, despite the promising nature of teledentistry in improving oral health care provision, it is  associated with some attending problems and challenges. Keywords: Telemedicine, Teledentistry, Rural, Remote, Developing countrie

A health education video in an indigenous Nigerian language to dispel misconceptions associated with reversal of eruption sequence of anterior teeth

Research findings conducted in Nigeria have revealed grave misconceptions regarding eruption of maxillary anterior teeth before the mandibular ones in children as affected individuals are believed to be evil, carriers of misfortune and their families are deemed cursed. Such children are stigmatized, abandoned and may be gotten rid of. A twenty three minute culturally appropriate video in the Yoruba language titled “Baba Yoyin” (meaning male tooth extractor -traditional dentist ) was developed to demystify the Nigerian community about misconceptions associated with reversal of eruption sequence of teeth and educate them about hazards associated with patronizing traditional dentists and the need to visit a dentist/doctor for advice. In the pre -production stage, the video was designed and planned and the cast , crew and appropriate locations for shooting the film shooting were selected . In the production stage, filming was done with several wide, medium and close shots. At post production, the film was edited with a sound mix comprising of sound effects and music. Computer graphic effects were added digitally. This video was produced in Yoruba, an indigenous Nigerian language to serve as a culturally appropriate community dental health education tool targeting nursing mothers, pregnant women, and traditional birth attendants from the lower social class in south western Nigeria. The storyline in this video tape will be translated into Igbo and Hausa , the two other major Nigerian languages. This videotape can be repeated in other African settings whose societies experience similar misconceptions about tooth eruption.Keywords: Reversal of eruption sequence, child, health education, videoAfr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 22 (January, 2019); 97- 10

Toothpaste utilization profiles of 6 to 8-year-old Nigerian children

Background: In children, toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste is the  method of choice for preventing dental caries and it is influenced mainly by their mothers.Objective: To provide descriptive information about toothpaste utilization profiles of 6 to 8-year-old Nigerian children.Materials and methods: A cross-section of 130 mothers of 6-8 year-old Nigerians provided information on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of toothpaste use, tooth brushing habits and criteria for  selecting toothpaste for their child. Their 6-8 year-old children who attended the Dental Centre of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital North-Eastern Nigeria were examined for presence of dental caries and fluorosis. Data analysis included both descriptive and inferential statistics at p<0.05. 6-8-year-old school children who attendedResults: Forty-one (31.5%) mothers had good knowledge score of  toothpaste use. Fifty-six (43.1%) and 23 (177.7%) of children had fluorosis and dental caries respectively. There was no statistical significant  relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and occurrence of dental caries (p>0.05). Females (54.2%) and children of mothers who had no formal education (65.6%) had more fluorosis than their counterparts (p<0.05).Conclusions: Many mothers had poor knowledge score of toothpaste use. Children who had fluorosis were more than those who had dental caries. Females and children of mothers who had no formal education had more dental fluorosis than their counterparts.Keywords: Toothpaste, Utilization, Nigerian, Children, Dental caries, Dental fluorosisRunning title: Toothpaste utilization Nigerian childre

Development of a tool for dispelling myths associated with natal/neonatal teeth: “Adunni” a health education video in a native Nigerian language

Studies have revealed that Nigerians irrespective of social class have negative attitudes and practices towards children born with natal teeth and those who erupt teeth within the first 30 days of life. This has been associated with the strong cultural myths and beliefs that exist among the populace. Children with natal teeth and their families have been stigmatized and are believed to be cursed. This stigmatization affects their social life and consequently impacts on their quality of life. Therefore, there is a need to develop an intervention such as a video to help dispel these myths. Videotapes have been shown as an intriguing means of communication and valuable tool in health education. To help dispel the myths associated with natal teeth, and neonatal teeth a twenty-eight-minute culturally appropriate video in the a local Nigerian language (Yoruba) titled “Adunni” targeted for people from the low social class was developed. This film has been sent to primary health care centers in suburban and rural areas and will be shown to mothers, pregnant women, nursing mothers and traditional birth attendants with a view to appropriately inform them and the entire communities that eruption of natal or neonatal teeth is not a curse.Keywords: Child, Natal teeth, Neonatal teeth, Health education, Vide

Oral Health Attitudes and Practices of the Elderly People in South East Local Government Area (SELGA) In Ibadan

The aetiology of many dental diseases is influenced by behavioral and lifestyle factors. It is the aim of this study to determine the oral health attitude and practices of the elderly people in SELGA in Ibadan, Nigeria.The study was conducted on 690 randomly selected individuals from 23 wards in SELGA. Two trained interviewers interviewed them on their oral health knowledge attitude and practices.Positive attitude was demonstrated towards care of the teeth, infection of the gum and regular cleaning of the teeth (99.3%, 88.1%, 97%) and negative attitude towards dental treatment (74.6% ).Majority (59.86%) clean their teeth twice daily but only 13% visit the dental clinic regularly and 65.7% have not been to the dental clinic before.Whilst there was strong correlation between frequency of tooth cleaning and attitude to tooth cleaning, the desire to visit the dental clinic (84.2%) did not translate into regular dental clinic attendance. Keywords: Oral Health, Attitudes, Practices, Elderly

Missed diagnosis of isolated bilateral transverse facial cleft: A case report

Bilateral transverse facial cleft is the most common of the rare facial clefts and early presentation is a key element for successful  management and prevention of possible complications like poor esthetics, speech and eating difficulties. Though several studies have documented reasons for late presentation, none has highlighted non-referral due to missed diagnosis by healthcare workers as a reason.Case Report: A nine-year-old girl was brought by her parents to the Primary Oral Health Clinic on account of “very wide mouth” noticed at birth. The mother noticed the anomaly few hours after she gave birth to her and immediately pointed the attention of the nurses and birth attendants to it but they dismissed her concern. Subsequently, the mother took the girl to the maternity centre for routine immunization appointments, but none of the healthcare workers she encountered recognized the birth defect. The parents further reported that the girl received jests and abuses from her peers. A diagnosis of Isolated Bilateral Tessier number 7 cleft was made based on clinical  examination findings. She was referred to a cleft centre where the repair was successfully carried out at no cost to the patient through the Smile-Train® sponsorship program. Subsequent follow-up visits to the primary healthcare clinic in the sixth and ninth month post-surgery revealed remarkable improvement in both patient’s and parents’ self-reported psycho-social wellbeing.Conclusion: This case report presents a rare presentation of delayed isolated congenital bilateral macrostomia because of healthcare workers failure to diagnose