Pattern and surface prevalence of dental caries on posterior teeth of children in a Nigerian teaching hospital

Objective: Knowledge of the pattern of dental caries in children is important in the designing of preventive clinical procedures, community-based programmes and formulation of appropriate treatment strategies for these children. This study therefore described the pattern and surface prevalence of dental caries on the posterior teeth of children attending Paedodontic clinic of University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Method: All children aged 5 – 12 years attending the clinic for the first time within a period of 24 months (2005 – 2007) were examined clinically and radiographically (using bitewing radiographs) for dental caries. Tooth types and tooth surfaces affected were recorded and data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11. Result: The results showed that the most frequently affected tooth surface in primary teeth was approximal surface (58.6%) followed by occlusal surface (39.9%) while in permanent teeth, the reverse was the case (occlusal = 77.0%, approximal = 15.0%). The second primary molars were found to be more affected than first molars in primary dentition while first permanent molars were the most affected in permanent teeth. The distribution of dental caries was higher in the lower jaw than the upper jaw. There was a slight difference in sex predilection with females having higher mean dmft/DMFT than males, though this was not statistically significant. The aged group mostly affected was 5 – 8 years with mean dmft and DMFT of 2.68±1.84 and 0.21±0.54 respectively. Conclusion: The high occurrence of approximal caries in primary teeth observed revealed the need for the use of bitewing radiographs for early detection of such lesions while the high occurrence of occlusal caries in permanent dentition showed the need to design preventive clinical procedures such as the placement of fissure sealants on first molars so as to prevent occurrence of occlusal caries in high risk children. Key words: Dental caries, surface prevalence, posterior teeth, children     

Influence of Parental Socioeconomic Status on Caries Prevalence Among Children Seen at the University College Hospital, Ibadan

Background: Dental caries is a lifetime disease and its sequelae havebeen found to constitute health problems of immense proportion in children. Environmental factors such as culture, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and dietary pattern can have a great impact on cariesresistanceor caries-development in a child.Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between dental caries and socioeconomic status of children attending paediatric dental clinic in UCH Ibadan.Methods: Socio-demographic data for each child that attended paediatric dental clinic, UCH Ibadan within a period of one year was obtained and recorded as they presented in the dental clinic, followed by oral  examination for each of them in the dental clinic to detect decayed, missing and filled deciduous and permanent teeth (dmft and DMFT respectively).Results: The mean dmft and DMFT score for the 209 children seen within period of study were 1.58 + 2.4 and 0.63+1.3 respectively. Highest caries prevalence (46.9%) was found within the high social class while the caries prevalence in middle and low social class were 40.5% and 12.6%  respectively. The highest dmft/DMFT of >7 was recorded in two children belonging to high social class. The difference in dmft in the three social classes was statistically significant (x 2 = 51.86,p= 0.008) but for DMFT, it was not statistically significant (x2 = 6.92, p = 0.991).Conclusion: Caries experience was directly related to socio-economicstatus of the parents of the studied children with highest caries prevalence in high and middle socioeconomic classes.Keywords: Dental Caries and Socioeconomic status

Effectiveness of an Oral Health Care Training Workshop for School Teachers: A Pilot Study

Background: School teachers play key roles in imparting appropriate and up-to-date knowledge to pupils and students. However, most teachers in developing countries like Nigeria have poor knowledge and motivation about oral health which may be due to inadequate training in the area of oral health. This might be one of the reasons for the poor oral hygiene among them and their students.Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an oral health care training programme organized for teachers in Eruwa, Oyo state, Nigeria. Methods: An intervention study was conducted among 40 school teachers who attended a two day oral health training workshop at Eruwa, headquarters of Ibarapa East Local Government Area. Training methods included lectures and demonstrations on aetiology, clinical features, treatment and prevention of common oral diseases. Pre- and post- evaluation written tests were administered to the participants to assess the effectiveness of the training. The knowledge scores were rated as poor, fair and good knowledge scoring <50.0%, 50.0-60.0% and > 60.0% respectively. Frequencies, percentages and means of relevant variables were generated. Paired t-test was used to compare means at P<0.05.Result: The mean age of the teachers was 40.13 ±7.24 years. There were 16 (40.0%) males and 24 (60.0%) females. Twenty (50.0%) of the participants had poor pre-training knowledge as compared to 7 (17.5%) after the training. Thirteen (32.5%) had fair pre-training knowledge as compared to 17 (42.5%) post training. Only (2.5%) of the participants had good pre-training knowledge as compared to 18 (45.0%) post training. The mean scores of the pre- and post-evaluation tests were 31.70 ±11.31 and 48.20 ±11.16 respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the pre and post evaluations P<0.05.Conclusions: The training workshop improved the knowledge of school teachers regarding oral health.Keywords: Effectiveness, Oral health training, Teachers

Fluoride in Caries treatment and prevention in children: A review

No Abstract.Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine Vol. 1 (2) 2004: pp. 38-4

Knowledge and attitude of some Nigerian dentists concerning the use of space maintainers in Dentistry

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the knowledge and attitude of some Nigerian dentist concerning the use of space maintainers in dentistry. Method: Structured and self administered questionnaires were sent to 60 dentists in Ibadan and Ile -Ife towns in the South - West region of Nigeria. Information required include respondent\'s biodata, year of graduation, specialty, knowledge of space maintainer, how often it is recommended, reasons for not recommending, and the types usually recommended. Result: Forty Six (70.6%) dentists comprising 63% females and 37% males responded to the questionnaire. All respondents were familiar with space maintainers but 28 (60.8%) claimed that they had never recommended it before. A number of reasons were given for not recommending space maintainers Fifty percent (50%) of those who had never recommended claimed that there was no orthodontic technician to fabricate it and that it was an expensive procedure, 39.2% claimed it was due to lack of appropriate dental materials needed for its fabrication, 7.1% claimed that the children may not cooperate and 7.1% claimed that parents did not want it for their children. The commonest space maintainer used by the dentists was the removable partial denture (71.8%) followed by Band and Loop (28.2%). None used lingual arch and distal shoe. Conclusion : The most commonly used space maintainer in this environment is the removable partial denture. All 46 dentists agreed that space maintainers help in preventing malocclusion and subsequently agreed to recommend space maintainers if the required materials were available and whenever it was necessary to do so. Keywords: Space maintainer, knowledge, attitude, Nigerian dentistsNigerian Dental Journal Vol. 15 (1) 2007: pp. 23-2

Prematurely erupted tooth in the molar region

Prematurely erupted teeth may be found in the mouth of a baby at birth or in the first few days after birth. The aetiology of the premature eruption is not known, but many factors have been associated. Such teeth are usually extracted to prevent their aspiration especially when they are mobile. This paper reports the case of a thirty-three-day old male child who was seen at the outpatient clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan with a tooth- like structure in the maxillary right molar region. This firm structure which resembled a primary molar had only two definite buccal cusps, no lingual cusp and no occlusal table. Based on the immature form and the mobility, the tooth was extracted. The poor prognosis associated with such prematurely erupted teeth needs to be recognized and treatment instituted accordingly. The need to adopt a transcultural approach in managing cases in which parents\' cultural beliefs create anxiety over the presence of such teeth was also stressed. It was concluded that dental professionals have a role to play in the management of neonates with premature tooth eruption so as to prevent complications. Keywords: Prematurely erupted tooth, molar regionNigerian Dental Journal Vol. 15 (1) 2007: pp. 49-5

Review Article: A Review Of Adult Orthodontics – Role Of The General Dental Practitioner

There has been an increase awareness of orthodontic treatment for adults in the last 20 years. In it possible for all adult patients to benefit from orthodontic therapy?. The purpose of this paper is to review adult orthodontic treatment so that general Dentists will be better prepared to recognize and also refer adult patients that can benefit form orthodontic therapy. A review of previous studies done on adult orthodontic treatment needs was undertaking. Adult orthodontic treatment was compared with adolescent orthodontic treatment. A review of treatment outcome of adult orthodontic patients showed that most patients felt satisfied with the treatment. Some report appliance discomfort which eased off 2 to 3 days after treatment. Adjunctive and comprehensive orthodontic treatments are the main types of orthodontic therapy recommended for adult malocclusion. The orthodontic therapy and refer to the specialist appropriately. KEY WORDS: Review, Adult Orthodontics, General Dental Practitioner. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.7(1) 2004: 37-4