Test-Retest Reliability of a Questionnaire to Assess the Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Students toward Tobacco Counseling Services

Objective: To determine the test-retest reliability of a new questionnaire designed to assess the attitude of students in a Nigerian dental school to tobacco cessation services. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was administered twice at 4 weeks interval to the same set of final year dental students (N = 36) in one of the Nigerian dental schools. Ten questions were randomly selected from the 35-item questionnaire. Intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients at 95confidence interval were computed for each selected item and the Cronbach's alpha coefficients were calculated to assess the internal consistency of the questionnaire. Results: The results showed that the least Cronbach's alpha value was 0.49 and the highest was 0.98. Only two items had less than a substantial agreement level (0.60) and seven items had an almost perfect agreement level (0.80). The results also indicated that the ICC coefficient is very highly statistically significant (P 0.001). Conclusion: The questionnaire demonstrated adequate test-retest reliability to assess the attitude of dental students to tobacco cessation services

Hepatitis-B Vaccination Status among Dental Surgeons in Benin City; Nigeria

There are several problems militating against satisfactory residency training in Nigeria. These problems may not be effectively identified and resolved if the opinion of the trainee doctors is ignored. Objectives: To review surgical residents' perspectives of their training program in South-eastern Nigeria; with the aim of suggesting evidence-based innovative changes to enable the programs meet global trends and standards. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 semi-structured and pre-tested questionnaires were evenly distributed (30 per hospital) to the surgical residents at three tertiary healthcare facilities in South-eastern Nigeria. Information sought included sociodemographic variables; level in the residency training; rating of program and different aspects; learning environments/opportunities; and suggestions on ways to improve either part or overall program. Results: Analysis of 56 properly completed questionnaires (response rate=62.2) shows that the respondents were aged 29 to 53 years [mean(SD) = 35.3(1.7)]; mostly males (91.1) shows that the respondents were aged 29 to 53 years [mean(SD) = 35.3(1.7)]; mostly males (91.1) and junior residents (75). A significant majority of residents (47 or 83.8) rated the surgical residency training in their respective centers as inadequate. Grand rounds were roundly criticized as having misplaced objectives and tending toward fault-finding by Consultants. Suggested interventions for improvement included enhanced supervision/mentoring/teaching by senior colleagues; inclusion of didactic lecture sessions; research trainings; and foreign postings. Conclusion: There exist gaps between expectations of surgical residents and the training offered. These create needed support for an evidenced-based review of surgical residency training program to enable it meet the aspirations of trainees and the ever-changing trend in Medicine. More studies on surgical residents covering other regions of Nigeria; and including the trainers (Consultants); will be of immense value.). A significant majority of residents (47 or 83.8). A significant majority of residents (47 or 83.8) rated the surgical residency training in their respective centers as inadequate. Grand rounds were roundly criticized as having misplaced objectives and tending toward fault-finding by Consultants. Suggested interventions for improvement included enhanced supervision/mentoring/teaching by senior colleagues; inclusion of didactic lecture sessions; research trainings; and foreign postings. Conclusion: There exist gaps between expectations of surgical residents and the training offered. These create needed support for an evidenced-based review of surgical residency training program to enable it meet the aspirations of trainees and the ever-changing trend in Medicine. More studies on surgical residents covering other regions of Nigeria; and including the trainers (Consultants); will be of immense value

Nigerian Clinical Level Medical Students' Knowledge of Dental Specialty

Background: The roles of physicians in oral healthcare delivery are very important due to the unequal distribution of the low oral health manpower as well as the lack of awareness of patients concerning the treatment of oral health problems by dentists in Nigeria. Aim: To assess the Nigerian clinical level medical students' knowledge of dental problems and conditions in relation to the dental specialty that treat them. Subjects and Methods: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study of clinical level medical students of University of Benin; Benin City; Nigeria; was conducted between May and June; 2010.The knowledge of the students was graded as good (16-20); fair (8-15); and poor (8). Results: Out of the 350 questionnaires distributed; 279 were filled and returned giving an overall response rate of 79.7 (279/350). Of these; 47.0 (131/279); 50.2 (140/279); and 2.8(8/279) of respondents showed poor; fair and good knowledge respectively. The trend showed a statistically significant increase in the mean level of knowledge of dental specialty with an ascent in the clinical level (P

Nigerian clinical level medical students' knowledge of dental specialty

The roles of physicians in oral healthcare delivery are very important due to the unequal distribution of the low oral health manpower as well as the lack of awareness of patients concerning the treatment of oral health problems by dentists in Nigeria. Aim: To assess the Nigerian clinical level medical students' knowledge of dental problems and conditions in relation to the dental specialty that treat them. Subjects and Methods: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study of clinical level medical students of University of Benin; Benin City; Nigeria; was conducted between May and June; 2010.The knowledge of the students was graded as good (16-20); fair (8-15); and poor (8). Results: Out of the 350 questionnaires distributed; 279 were filled and returned giving an overall response rate of 79.7 (279/350). Of these; 47.0 (131/279); 50.2 (140/279); and 2.8 (8/279) of respondents showed poor; fair and good knowledge respectively. The trend showed a statistically significant increase in the mean level of knowledge of dental specialty with an ascent in the clinical level(P = 0.01). The level of knowledge of dental specialty in this survey was suboptimal and varied with different specialties which may have adverse implication in future patient care. The variation in the level of knowledge with different clinical level suggested gain in knowledge about dental specialty mainly through nonformal means among medical students

Perceived Visual Deterioration among a Selected Group of Dental Surgeons in Nigeria

To assess the perceived visual deterioration and the determinants among selected dental surgeons in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of Resident doctors attending the Revision course of Faculty of Dental Surgery of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in Lagos University Teaching Hospital; Lagos; Nigeria was conducted in October; 2008. The 21-item self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain demographic information; medicated eyeglass use; self-rating of vision on start of dental practice; self-rating of vision presently; self-rating of illumination in dental operatory; procedure that can be done without adequate illumination and procedures that need light enhancers. Majority of the respondents were male; in the 31-35 year age group; had less than 10 years post-graduation experience and are specializing in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Perceived visual deterioration was reported by 22 (36.1) of the respondents. Respondents who are 46-50 years; male; with _ 10 years of experience; using medicated eyeglass and specializing in Restorative dentistry reported higher perceived visual deterioration. The prevalence of use of medicated eyeglass was 22 (36.1). The illumination of dental operatory was good by 35 (57.4) of the respondents using a self-rating scale.The predominant procedures performed under limited illumination were oral surgical 16 (26.2) and orthodontic 16 (26.2). Light enhancers were advocated by respondents mostly during restorative procedures. Perceived visual deterioration in this study was high. This justifies the need for assessment of vision at employment and longitudinal assessment of vision annually inorder to objectively ascertain the level of visual deterioration

Nutrition and Oral Health

There is an interdependent relationship between nutrition and health of oral tissues. The well-being of the oral tissues; the quantity and quality of saliva and the dimension of taste depend on the intake of nutrients. Oral health determines the type of food consumed and ultimately the nutritional level. A review of literature was to outline this interdependent relationship

Perceived oral Health Status and Treatment Needs of Dental Auxiliaries

Objective: To determine the perceived oral health status and treatment needs of Nigerian dental therapists in training and dental technology students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of students from Federal School of Dental Therapy and Technology Enugu; Nigeria was conducted using self-administered questionnaire to obtain information on demography; self-reported oral health status; knowledge of impact of oral health on daily life activity; dental attendance and perceived dental need. Results: The perception of oral health status and treatment need of the two groups of dental auxiliaries was the same. Fewer respondents (27.3) rated their oral health as excellent; while 50.4rated their oral health as good. Majority (95.5) agreed that oral health is a part of general health and 94.6agreed that oral health has a role in daily life. Out of 81.4that had previous dental treatment; scaling and polishing accounted for 66.1. Presently; 48.8think they need dental treatment ranging from scaling and polishing (33.9); tooth restoration (10.3); to extraction (1.2). Conclusion: This survey revealed that most of the students are aware that oral health is a component of general health and that it has an impact on an individual's daily life. More than half of the students perceived their oral health as good; but only a few knew that there is a need for a preventive approach to oral health as evident by the percentage that perceived scaling and polishing as a treatment need