Professional Oral Prophylaxis: Assessment of Practice by Oral Health Professionals in Southeastern Nigeria

Background: Professional oral prophylaxis reduces plaque and calculus levels and improves oral health. This study identified the practice of routine scaling and polishing among oral health professionals. Methodology: This was a cross‑sectional study of 73 oral health professionals who attended the Southeast Oral Health Forum at Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. Data on sociodemographic profile, the undertaking of scaling and polishing of the teeth, reasons for the scaling and polishing, recommendation of scaling and polishing to their patients, and duration of recall were recorded. Data analysis was done using SPSS Version 21. The association between demographic profile and practice of scaling and polishing at 6 months’ interval was tested using the Chi‑square test at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: The study participants were 43 (58.9%) males and 30 (41.1%) females, and the age range was 23–56 years. All (100.0%) oral health professionals in the study had undertaken scaling and polishing previously. Many respondents (75.3%) scaled and polished routinely twice a year, while 90.6% recommended the procedure to their patients at six months’ interval to enable them monitor their patients’ oral hygiene (85.9%). Those aged 21–30 years (75.0%) (P < 0.001) and < 5 years in clinical practice (74.3%) (P = 0.01) undertook scaling and polishing at six months’ interval or less. Lack of time (34.5%) was the main reason that prevented oral health professionals from  undertaking scaling and polishing. Conclusion: Dental therapists have had scaling and polishing done more than dentists and dental technologists within the last six months. Age and duration of clinical practice were significantly associated with obtaining scaling and polishing at 6 monthly intervals, whereas lack of time was a major reason for not undergoing six monthly scaling and polishing. Keywords: Calculus, dental professionals, oral prophylaxis, plaque&nbsp

Primary School Teachers’ Knowledge of Immediate Management of Permanent Tooth Avulsion

Background: This study assessed primary school teachers’ knowledge of immediate management of tooth avulsion in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross‑sectional study of 135 primary school teachers in Enugu metropolis of Enugu State, Nigeria. Data on sex, age, academic qualification, school type, years of service, and the knowledge of immediate management of avulsed tooth among primary school teachers were collected using a self‑administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 18. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The age of study participants ranged from 20 to 58 years. Many teachers in public schools 73 (54.1%) and those with bachelor degree in education 69 (51.1%) participated in the study, They were mostly females 123 (91.1%). The year of service of the teachers ranged from 1 year to 35 years. Only 25 (18.5%) of the teachers had good knowledge of the immediate management of avulsed teeth. Six (4.4%) knew that re‑implantation was the immediate treatment for an avulsed permanent tooth. However, there was a significant association between sex (P < 0.001) and having good knowledge of the management of avulsion, but there was no significant association between age (P = 0.42), school type (P = 0.27) qualification (P = 0.09), year of service (P = 0.42), and having good knowledge of the management of avulsion. Conclusion: Few primary school teachers had good knowledge of immediate management of avulsed tooth indicating the need for increased oral health awareness among teachers in the study area. Keywords: First aid, immediate management, knowledge, permanent tooth avulsion, school teachers, transport medi

Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Profile, Parity and Dental Caries Among a Group of Nursing Mothers in South East, Nigeria

Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk indicators of caries among nursing mothers in a tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 408 nursing mothers aged 15 to 52 years who brought their children for immunization in a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. Data on socio-demographic profile, parity, dental visits were collected. The presence of dental caries was recorded using the World Health Organization criteria. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was 11.0%, and the mean DMFT was 0.18. There was a statistically significant association between level of education (p<0.001), past dental visit (p<0.001) and the occurrence of dental caries. Caries was more prevalent in the mandibular teeth than the maxillary teeth. The left mandibular first and second permanent molars had the highest occurrence of dental caries. Missing (M) component of the DMFT index was highest and the care index was low. The significant predictors of caries among nursing mothers were fair oral hygiene and having below tertiary education. Conclusion: The prevalence of caries and the care index were both low in this study population. The significant predictors of dental caries were a tertiary level of education and poor oral hygiene. Incorporating oral health education during postnatal care can help reduce dental caries' occurrence and complications among nursing mothers in the study population

Tertiary Institutions’ Social Health Insurance Program:Awareness, knowledge, and utilization for dental treatment among students of a Nigerian University

Background: Awareness and knowledge can play key roles in influencing the utilization of health insurance programs in Nigeria.Objectives: This study aims to investigate the awareness and use of the Tertiary Institutions/Voluntary Participant Social Health Insurance Program (TISHIP) for undergraduate dental services.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria and the study population comprised full-time undergraduate students of the institution with a total sample size of 400.Results: Majority (66.7%) of the respondents were aware of the TISHIP, but 37% were aware that it covered dental treatments, and 16.1% had received dental treatment under TISHIP. Fifty point eight percent (50.8%) of the respondents were not registered under the insurance program. The reason respondents had not registered was because majority (49.7%) were not aware of the compulsory registration into the scheme. Respondents agreed that TISHIP would promote equity in healthcare delivery (57.5%), promote improved health facilities (39.4%), and 52.5% were willing to participate in the scheme while 47.9% were undecided on whether TISHIP was worth the financial contribution. Presumed high cost of dental treatment (51.9%) and non-availability of materials for dental treatment at dental facilities (50.8%) were factors that affected the utilization of TISHIP (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Despite the positive effect of TISHIP in cushioning the cost of dental care, utilization is poor, thus there is a need to scale up awareness among the students’ population

A scoping review on the links between sustainable development goal 14 and early childhood caries

Background The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 addresses life below the waters, an important source of protein and contributor to global food security and economic development. Our aim was to explore possible evidence on the links between life below water and early childhood caries (ECC). Methods This scoping review identified articles on the link between life below water and caries according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were systematically searched in January 2023, using specific search terms. Studies written in English, with full text available, addressing life under water, focusing on dental caries in humans, with results that can be extrapolated to control ECC in children less than 6 years of age were included in the review. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the retrieved papers and graphical presentation was used for visualization. Results There were 224 publications retrieved of which 13 studies, published between 1960 and 2022, were included in the analysis. The papers originated from Asia (7/13), North America (3/13), Europe (1/13), and 2/13 had multi-country authorship. Also, four laboratory studies extracted agents from marine products to determine their efficacy in preventing caries formation and preventing/slowing plaque formation; four letters discussed the caries prevention potential of sea salt as a source of fluoride; and two review articles about the positive effects of extracted marine products for caries prevention. Most (11/13) studies addressed target 14.1 concerned with enriching the marine environment with nutrients and minerals; two addressed target 14.4 focused on ensuring fish stocks are within biologically sustainable levels; two addressed target 14.7 aimed at increasing the economic benefits through sustainable use of marine resources such as fisheries; and one focused on target 14.5 aimed at conserving marine areas by increasing protected areas. In addition, one ecological study assessed the association between the ecosystem and ECC. Conclusions Currently, there is little known about the impact of protection of marine and coastal ecosystem from pollution and ocean acidification on the risk of ECC. Further evidence on possible associations between life below water and ECC management is needed.publishedVersio

A scoping review on the links between sustainable development goal 14 and early childhood caries

DATA AVAILABILITY : All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.CORRECTION: BMC Oral Health 23, 881 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-023-03650-3. In this article [1], the affiliation details for Prof. Ola B. Al-Batayneh were incorrectly given as “1 and 6” only (1. Early Childhood Caries Advocacy Group and 6. Preventive Dentistry Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan) but should have been “1, 6 and 7” (1. Early Childhood Caries Advocacy Group, and 6. Department of Orthodontics, Pediatric and Community Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, PO Box 27272, United Arab Emirates and 7. Preventive Dentistry Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan).BACKGROUND : The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 addresses life below the waters, an important source of protein and contributor to global food security and economic development. Our aim was to explore possible evidence on the links between life below water and early childhood caries (ECC). METHODS : This scoping review identified articles on the link between life below water and caries according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were systematically searched in January 2023, using specific search terms. Studies written in English, with full text available, addressing life under water, focusing on dental caries in humans, with results that can be extrapolated to control ECC in children less than 6 years of age were included in the review. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the retrieved papers and graphical presentation was used for visualization. RESULTS : There were 224 publications retrieved of which 13 studies, published between 1960 and 2022, were included in the analysis. The papers originated from Asia (7/13), North America (3/13), Europe (1/13), and 2/13 had multi-country authorship. Also, four laboratory studies extracted agents from marine products to determine their efficacy in preventing caries formation and preventing/slowing plaque formation; four letters discussed the caries prevention potential of sea salt as a source of fluoride; and two review articles about the positive effects of extracted marine products for caries prevention. Most (11/13) studies addressed target 14.1 concerned with enriching the marine environment with nutrients and minerals; two addressed target 14.4 focused on ensuring fish stocks are within biologically sustainable levels; two addressed target 14.7 aimed at increasing the economic benefits through sustainable use of marine resources such as fisheries; and one focused on target 14.5 aimed at conserving marine areas by increasing protected areas. In addition, one ecological study assessed the association between the ecosystem and ECC. CONCLUSIONS : Currently, there is little known about the impact of protection of marine and coastal ecosystem from pollution and ocean acidification on the risk of ECC. Further evidence on possible associations between life below water and ECC management is needed.https://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.comhj2024Community DentistrySDG-14:Life below wate

Effect of referral for dental service on dental-service utilization by primary school children aged 8 to 11 years in Enugu, Nigeria

determine how one dental education session and referral of study participants aged 8-11 years would affect utilization of oral-health care services. Methods: This descriptive prospective study recruited 1,406 pupils aged 8-11 years from randomly selected primary schools in Enugu metropolis. All pupils received one oral-health education and referral letters for treatment. Data were collected on the pupils socio-demographic profile, family structure, and history of oral-health care utilization in the 12 months preceding the study and within 12 months of receipt of referral letter. The effect of these factors as predictors of past and recent dental service utilization was determined using logistic regression. Results: Only 4.3% of the study participants had ever used oral-health services in the 12 months prior to the study. Within 12 months of issuing the referral letters, 9.0% of pupils used the oral-health services. Children from middle (AOR: 0.46; CI: 0.29-0.73; p=0.001) and low socioeconomic strata (AOR: 0.21; CI: 0.11-0.39; p<0.001) and those living with relatives/guardians (AOR: 0.08, CI: 0.01-0.56; p=0.01) were still less likely to have utilized oral-health services. Conclusions: Referral of children for oral-health care increased the number of children who utilized oral health care services

General anxiety, dental anxiety, digit sucking, caries and oral hygiene status of children resident in a semi-urban population in Nigeria

Abstract Background Digit sucking can represent untreated anxiety or other emotional problems. The aim of this study was to determine if digit sucking is a predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety; and if general and dental anxiety are associated with caries and oral hygiene status of children resident in sub-urban Nigeria. Methods This was a secondary data analysis of a household survey conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The level of general anxiety and dental anxiety of 450 6 to12 year old children were measured using the Revised Child Manifest Anxiety Scale and Dental Subscale of the Child Fear Survey Schedule respectively. Presence of digit sucking habit, caries and oral hygiene status were determined. General anxiety and dental anxiety scores were dichotomized into low and high levels respectively. Logistic regression was conducted to determine if digit sucking was a predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety; and if general anxiety and dental anxiety were predictors caries and good oral hygiene status. Adjustments were made for age and sex. Results Digit sucking is not a significant predictor of dental anxiety (p = 0.99) and general anxiety (p = 0.79). Children with high general anxiety (AOR: 5.02; 95% CI: 2.9–9.74; p <  0.001) and high dental anxiety (AOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.15–2.65; p = 0.009) had higher odds of having caries and good oral hygiene respectively. Conclusion Digit sucking was not a significant predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety. General and dental anxiety however, had effects on the likelihood of having caries and good oral hygiene

Developmental defects of the enamel and its impact on the oral health quality of life of children resident in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract Background Developmental defects of the enamel (DDE) increase the risk for diseases that impact negatively on the quality of life. The objective of this study was to compare the oral health quality of life of children with molar-incisor-hypomineralisation (MIH) and enamel hypoplasia; and assess if caries worsened the impact of these lesions on the quality of life. Methods This study recruited 853 6 to 16-years-old school children. They filled the Child-OIDP questionnaire. The MIH, enamel hypoplasia, caries and oral hygiene status was assessed. Poisson regression was used to determine the impact of MIH and enamel hypoplasia on the oral health quality of life, after adjusting for the effect of sex, age, socioeconomic class, oral hygiene and caries status. Results The prevalence of MIH and enamel hypoplasia was 2.9% and 7.6% respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean child-OIDP scores of children with or without MIH (p = 0.57), children with or without enamel hypoplasia (p = 0.48), and children with enamel hypoplasia with and without caries (p = 0.30). Children with enamel hypoplasia and caries had worse outcomes for speaking (p = 0.01). Children with middle (AOR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.60–4.67; P < 0.01) and low (AOR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.04–2.95; p = 0.03) socioeconomic status, and those with caries (AOR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.26–3.22; p = 0.03) had their oral health quality of life negatively impacted. Conclusion MIH and enamel hypoplasia had no significant impact on the overall oral health quality of life of children resident in southwestern Nigeria. However, children with caries and those from middle and low socioeconomic classes had poorer oral health quality of life