Periodontal health care of the geriatric patients in Tanzania

No Abstract

Self-reported, subjectively-determined breath malodor, associated factors, treatment seeking behavior and oral hygiene practices among adults in Kinondoni, Tanzania

Aim: To study the self-reported (SRM) and subjectively-determined breath malodor (OSM), associated factors, treatment seeking behavior and oral hygiene practices among adults in Kinondoni district.Subjects and methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and community-based study in convenient sample of 290 adults aged ≥ 18 years in Kinondoni district. The SRM, OSM of the exhaled air using the same individual’s nose, associated factors, treatment seeking behavior and oral hygiene practices were assessed using a self-administered structured questionnaire.Results: The prevalence of SRM was 76.6% and of OSM (16.6%), while tooth brushing practice and use of dentifrices was 100%, tongue cleaning (73.4%), awareness on presence of hard deposits on teeth (30%), gum bleeding on tooth brushing (69.7%), mobile teeth (7.2%) and medical problems (13.4%). The proportion of study participants who used ginger-spiced tea were (32.8%), tobacco smoking (16.6%), alcohol consumption (37.9%), dental floss (6.9%) and seeking treatment for breath malodor (TSM) was 11.8%. On logistic regression analyses, (AOR 95% CI), SRM was associated with ginger-spiced tea 3.27 (1.54-6.95), medical problems 3.25 (1.12-9.44) and smoking 7.92 (1.76-35.77). OSM was associated with Not-brushing the tongue 2.21 (1.08-4.54) and mobile teeth 6.01 (2.15-16.84). The TSM was associated with secondary education or higher, being married and awareness of having hard deposits on teeth.Conclusion: Breath malodor was a common problem, associated with not-cleaning the tongue, mobile teeth; tobacco smoking, ginger-spiced tea, and general medical problems whereby the majority sought no care. All participants reported daily tooth brushing with dentifrice but practiced limited interdental flossing

Tooth cleaning devices, calculus, gingival recession and tooth sensitivity in adult population, Mtwara-Rural, Tanzania

Aim To determine the type of tooth cleaning devices, presence of calculus, occurrence of gingival recessions and tooth sensitivity. Study Participants and Methods This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among adults in Mtwara-Rural district. Randomly selected 201 participants aged 40 years or more, 113 males and 88 females were interviewed on commonly used tooth cleaning devices and tooth sensitivity using a structured questionnaire. Clinical examination was done to assess gingival recessions (> 3.5 mm) and calculus using the Community Periodontal Index Probe and a mouth mirror. Results Tooth cleaning devices included plastic toothbrush (51.7%), chewing stick (25.9%), both chewing stick and plastic toothbrush (17.4%), and other unspecified devices (5.0%). Prevalence of calculus was 99.5%, gingival recession > 3.5mm was 86.1% and TS was 50.2%. There was no significant difference between males and females for the occurrence of gingival recessions, tooth sensitivity and the type of tooth cleaning devices used. The mean number of sextants having teeth with gingival recessions and tooth sensitivity did not differ among different types of tooth cleaning devices used (P > 0.05). The study participants that had no gingival recessions had slightly higher mean number of sextants with calculus (5.79 ± 0.57) than those with gingival recessions (5.50 ± 1.17), (P = 0.04, 95% confidence interval: 0.01, 0.57), but the finding was considered to be of no clinical significance. Conclusion Participants of this study mainly used plastic toothbrush and chewing stick as tooth cleaning devices and the prevalence of calculus and gingival recession were very high with substantial reported tooth sensitivity. The relationship between tooth cleaning devices or calculus accumulation and gingival recessions could not be elucidated. Keywords: Plastic toothbrush; chewing stick; dental calculus; gingival recessions; tooth sensitivity. Tanzania Dental Journal Vol. 13(2) November 2006: 43-4

Awareness on causes, risk factors and prevention of periodontal diseases among secondary school students in Kinondoni district, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Aim: To assess the awareness on causes, risk factors and preventive measures for periodontal diseases among secondary school students in Kinondoni district in Dar es Salaam Region. Study participants and methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 225 students, both males (49.8%) and females (50.2%) aged between 12 and 21 years were randomly selected from two secondary schools (Kambanga and Kiluvya). Information on the awareness on causes, risk factors and preventive measures for periodontal diseases was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Results: The study participants pinpointed that the predisposing factors for periodontal diseases were lack of brushing (86.2%), cigarette smoking (55.1%), plaque (22.2%), calculus (20.9%) and HIV-AIDS (75.4%). In relation to lack of tooth brushing and HIV/AIDS as predisposing factor for periodontal diseases, a higher proportion of females were aware at an age of 12-16 years, whereas to males it was at 17-21 years age group (P=0.001). Assessment on awareness of the participants in relation to preventive measures against periodontal diseases included tooth brushing (88%), dental flossing (6.2%), regular dental visits for checkup (67.7%), frequent consumption of fruits (51%) and use of fluoridated toothpaste (87.3%). Half of the study participants reported to have experienced gingival bleeding; but most of them were not aware of the necessary preventive measures. Most of participants were not aware on the role of plaque and calculus in the development of periodontal diseases (79%). Conclusion: These results suggest that awareness on periodontal diseases among secondary school students in Kinondoni district is still low and therefore oral health education need to be advocated more for enhanced understanding. Tanzania Dental Journal Vol. 12(1) 2005: 1-