Spectrum of diseases and pattern of referral at the Oral Diagnosis Clinic of a tertiary dental center

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the scope of oral diseases and referrals within the Dental Centre at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Method: The clinic logbook of the Oral diagnosis clinic of the Dental centre, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital was reviewed retrospectively over an 18-month period. Demographic and clinical data of all patients were retrieved and statistically analyzed using SPSS Version 17.0. Result: There were 2,249 patients comprising 945 (42%) males and 1,304 (58%) females. The age range was 1month to 95 years and mean age, 29.9 + 16.8 years. The mean age for male was 30.4 + 17.3years and for female, 29.5±16.4 years. Based on their age, patients were categorized into children, youth, middle age and elderly. Patronage was predominantly by the youth category (age 17- 40 years). The predominant pathology presented was complicated dental caries (41.1%). Traumatic injuries showed predilections for the male gender (87 males compared to 58 females). Most of the referrals were to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic (825 patients) and tooth extraction (741 adults, 147 paediatric extractions) was the major reason for referral. Conclusion: In spite of the worldwide epidemiological report of its reducing incidence, dental caries and its sequelae are still the major reasons for patronage of dental health services in our environment and dental extraction is the mostly consumed treatment modality

Prevalence of artificially created maxillary midline diastema and its complications in a selected nigerian population

Background: Maxillary midline diastema (MMD) is generally regarded as a symbol of beauty in Nigeria. The desperation to look beautiful has caused many individuals to seek the creation of artificial midline diastema and that comes often with undesirable side effects.Aim: To determine the prevalence of artificially created maxillary midline diastema (MMD) and its complications in a selected Nigerian population.Method: A cross-sectional study using a semi-structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection was done among patients attending a private clinic in Owerri the capital of Imo state in Nigeria over a period of 18 months. The data were retrieved from the questionnaires and analyzed using the SPSS version 20.Results: There were 141 respondents comprising 58(41.1%) males and 83(58.9%) females, giving a male to female ratio of 1:1.4. The prevalence of artificially created MMD was 34.0% with increased frequency in: the 21-30 years age group; among the females and in respondents with tertiary level of education. Majority of the respondents (69.5%) desire MMD and 20.8% of those without it wanted it created through cosmetic dentistry. Twenty of the 48 respondents with artificial MMD had it done to enhance personal beauty and aesthetics. The commonest complication was tooth sensitivity (44.8%), followed by toothache (41.4%).Conclusion: The prevalence of artificially created MMD was 34.0% in this study; and it is commoner in females and younger age group .The commonest complication was tooth sensitivity. Enhancement of personal beauty and aesthetic was the major reason for having it done.Keywords: Artificially created, Maxillary Midline Diastema, Complication

Spectrum of diseases and pattern of referral at the Oral Diagnosis Clinic of a tertiary dental center

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the scope of oral diseases and referrals within the Dental Centre at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).Method: The clinic logbook of the Oral diagnosis clinic of the Dental centre, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital was reviewed retrospectively over an 18-month period. Demographic and clinical data of all patients were retrieved and statistically analyzed using SPSS Version 17.0.Result: There were 2,249 patients comprising 945 (42%) males and 1,304 (58%) females. The age range was 1month to 95 years and mean age, 29.9 + 16.8 years. The mean age for male was 30.4 + 17.3years and for female, 29.5±16.4 years. Based on their age, patients were categorized into children, youth, middle age and elderly. Patronage was predominantly by the youth category (age 17- 40 years). The predominant pathology presented was complicated dental caries (41.1%). Traumatic injuries showed predilections for the male gender (87 males compared to 58 females). Most of the referrals were to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic (825 patients) and tooth extraction (741 adults, 147 paediatric extractions) was the major reason for referral.Conclusion: In spite of the worldwide epidemiological report of its reducing incidence, dental caries and its sequelae are still the major reasons for patronage of dental health services in our environment and dental extraction is the mostly consumed treatment modality.Keywords: Oro-facid diseases, Dental clinic attendance, Referral

Periodontitis and systemic diseases: A literature review

Studies have revealed possible link between periodontitis and different systemic diseases. There is need to review this interesting subject. The aims are: to provide a comprehensive literature that can easily be consulted, on the subject; to draw the attention of health practitioners to the impact of oral health on the general well-being; and to emphasize the need for a deeper interaction between medical and dental training. The Medline database was searched for relevant literature by combining each of the following terms, "oral health," "oral infection," "periodontitis," with "systemic diseases." Manual library search and review of bibliographies of published literature were also conducted. Periodontitis is a constant potential source of infection and has been considered as a separate risk factor for some cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and reproductive system related abnormalities. Oral health impacts on the general well-being, and if comprehensive health care is ever to be achieved, oral health should not be seen as a separate, distant, and less important area of health, which is totally unrelated to lifespan and its quality