Survey of the Reasons for Dental Extraction in Eastern Nigeria

Extraction of teeth is the commonest surgical procedure carried out in the dental surgery setting. Aim: The purpose of this survey was to identify the causes of teeth extraction in Eastern Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: Record forms for entering data and a self-addressed return envelope were distributed to 100 dental surgeons in Eastern Nigeria using a simple random selection. Results: Seventy-one (71; 71/100) dentists responded to the request and the total extractions carried out were 3998. There were 1508 (37.7) extractions in males and 2490 (62.3) in females with male-to-female extraction ratio of 1:1.7. In both male and female gender; there were more teeth extractions between the ages of 11 and 30 years. Extractions were recorded more in the lower social class (47.6; 1903/3998). There were more extractions in the permanent (85.0 ; 3398/3998) than deciduous (15.0 ; 3398/3998) than deciduous (15.0; 600/3998). The commonest reasons for teeth extraction were caries (55.2; 2208/3998). Conclusion: The result of this study shows that dental caries is the commonest reason for tooth extraction in Eastern Nigeria. It is hoped that the study will facilitate the development of treatment and preventive procedures relevant to the problems observed in this part of Nigeria; thus minimizing the loss of teeth and its expected adverse consequences

Enrolment and Retention of African Women in Biomedical Research: the Challenges

Background : In Africa; women have had minimal participation in biomedical research especially in clinical trials despite the epidemiologic realities of the trends andburden of diseases in the continent. The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the challenges as well as suggesting ways of over-coming them in recruiting andretaining African women in biomedical research. Methods:Relevant biomedical research literatures on Human Research Participants from Scirus; Pubmed and Medline computerized search were critically evaluated and highlighted. Information was also obtained from research ethics training as well as texts and journals in the medical libraries of the research ethics departments of the Universities of Pretoria; Kwazulu-Natal; Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics Baltimore and Kennedy Institute of Bioethics Georgetown University; Washington DC. Results: Studies reviewed have shown that African women have an unfair participation in biomedical research. Efforts in enrolling and retaining women in biomedical research are hampered by chain reactions of events viz: gender perception; cultural barriers; ignorance and fear of adverse event; limited autonomy to give consent; lack of confidentiality especially in sensitive trials; and improper research design. Conclusion:Women need to participate in clinical trials because of their different biological and physiological make-up which require proper information about the effects of drugs on their bodies. A variety of harm may therefore ensue from failure to include adequate numbers of women in biomedical research such as exposure to ineffective treatment; occurrence of unexpected sideeffects and delayed diagnosis and early treatment of disease

Enrolment and Retention of African Women in Biomedical Research: The Challenges

In Africa; women have had minimal participation in biomedical research especially in clinical trials despite the epidemiologic realities of the trends and burden of diseases in the continent. The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the challenges as well as suggesting ways of over-coming them in recruiting and retaining African women in biomedical research. Relevant biomedical research literatures on Human Research Participants from Scirus; Pubmed and Medline computerized search were critically evaluated and highlighted. Information was also obtained from research ethics training as well as texts and journals in the medical libraries of the research ethics departments of the Universities of Pretoria; Kwazulu-Natal; Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics Baltimore and Kennedy Institute of Bioethics Georgetown University; Washington DC. Studies reviewed have shown that African women have an unfair participation in biomedical research. Efforts in enrolling and retaining women in biomedical research are hampered by chain reactions of events viz: gender perception; cultural barriers; ignorance and fear of adverse event; limited autonomy to give consent; lack of confidentiality especially in sensitive trials; and improper research design. Women need to participate in clinical trials because of their different biological and physiological make-up which require proper information about the effects of drugs on their bodies. A variety of harm may therefore ensue from failure to include adequate numbers of women in biomedical research such as exposure to ineffective treatment; occurrence of unexpected sideeffects and delayed diagnosis and early treatment of disease

Civilian Gunshot injuries to the Oro-facial region in Calabar, South-South Nigeria, 2002-2006

This article reviews 16 cases of civilian gunshot injuries of the oro-facial region seen at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar over a 5-year period and highlights the rising trend in the occurrence of gun shot injuries to the orofacial region as experienced in the south-south region of Nigeria. Records of 16 patients with different types of gunshot injuries to the oro-facial region seen and treated at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar between 2002 and 2006 were reviewed. The focus was on the patient's age, gender, type of weapons used, the surrounding circumstances (accidental or intentional), the time of occurrence and management. Out of 16 patients seen, 14 (87.5%) were males and 2 (12.5%) were females, giving a male to female ratio of 7:1, with the age range from 18 to 50 years. Thirteen (81.3%) of the patients were injured by low velocity missile while 3 (18.7%) by high velocity missile. Violence was responsible for 14 cases (81.7%), and 2 cases (18.3%) was due to the accidental discharge. This study has shown an increasing occurrence of gunshot injuries to the oro-facial region in our environment with males more affected than females. With the changing political situation, social advancement and urbanization, there is a need to regulate the influx of deadly weapons in the country by the relevant agencies. Maxillofacial surgeons should also brace up to the new development as this poses a new kind of challenge to our knowledge of trauma management

Management of Postoperative Morbidity after Third Molar Surgery : a Review of the Literature

Background : Patients' complaints of pain; swelling and limitation in mouth opening following lower third molar surgery is an important factor affecting their daily life. The aim of this study was to review the different methods of minimizing postoperative morbidity following lower third molar surgery. Methods : Relevant literatures from Scirus; Pubmed and Medline computerized search on management of postoperative morbidity following third molar surgery were evaluated and highlighted. Information was also obtained from texts and journals in the medical libraries of Federal School of Dental Technology and the University of Nigeria both in Enugu. Results : studies reviewed have not pointed to the effectiveness of the routine use of any systemic or local agent for minimizing postoperative morbidity after third molar surgery without other undesirable effects. Oral surgeons across the world have devised several methods; which include the use of drugs; different surgical techniques; laser therapy and the use of drains. Conclusion: Postoperative morbidity after the surgical removal of impacted lower third molar still remains an important factor in patients' recovery and comfort. The awareness of different methods of reducing morbidity after lower third molar surgery would help both the surgeon and the patients in the management of impacted lower third molar