Dental caries risk assessment in primary school children aged 11 to 12 years: Case of Nyarugenge District, Rwanda

Background Dental caries in children is a public health concern affecting 60-90% of children worldwide. Dental caries perturbs children's eating ability, school performance as well as overall quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries and its risk factors among children aged 11 to 12 years in Nyarugenge District in Kigali, Rwanda. Methods The cross-sectional analytical study design involved 400 children from Nyarugenge district. By stratified sampling, we selected Gitega and Butamwa primary schools and used systematic sampling to choose the pupils into the sample. An interview and oral examination were performed. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were done. Results Dental caries was observed in 25.5% of children. Deep pits and fissures carried a two-fold risk of getting dental caries than children without deep pits and fissures (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = [1.5; 4.0], P-value < 0.001). Dental plaque was identified as a risk factor for getting dental caries (OR=2.2, 95% CI = [1.2; 3.3], P-value: 0.01). Conclusion Dental caries is a public health concern associated with poor oral hygiene, deep pit, and fissures among children aged 11 to 12 years old. Oral hygiene education, application of ART, and regular screening programs are in need.

Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Adolescents in Choma District of Zambia

Introduction:Dentalcariesandperiodontaldiseases are the most common oral diseases globally. Early control of oral health behaviours is importantbecauselifestylesacquiredduringadolescence are powerful predictors of adult health. We conducted a study to determine knowledge, attitude and practices on oral hygiene among school-going adolescents in Choma district of Zambia.Methodology:Across-sectionalstudywasconducted among school-going adolescents in randomly selected schools in Choma District. Atotal of 335 participants were included in the study. Data were collected using a closed-end self-administered questionnaire. The sample size was distributed among the six schools in the ratio of their population. The study included anyone from grades 8-12. Data were analysed using IBM software for SPSS. We employedthe Chi-Squaretesttoinvestigate the association between variables. Ap-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study had 173 males and 162 females in the age range of 12-19 years. The majority (87.8%) had good knowledge, 69.4% had good attitude and 87.5% had good practice on oral -hygiene. Practice was influenced by sex with females having good oral hygiene as compared to their male counterparts. About 97.2% thought that dental health education is essential in schools. 34% indicated that they had visited the dentist when they experienced a toothache. However, parental advice to regularly visit the dentist was low (n=39).The majority 49.9% (n=167) indicated that they had not visited the dentist due to fear of the dental equipment set up.Conclusion and recommendation: Despite the majority having good knowledge and attitude on oral hygiene, there is a need to acquaint children with milling and dental units found in most dental offices. This may instil confidence in children to seek specialist dental treatment whenever they develop any dental disease. Further,parents need to be incorporated as partners in promoting oral health hygiene among school-going adolescents.

Profiles of sugar fermenting bacteria of the oral cavity among children with dental caries attending stomatology services at Ruhengeri referral hospital in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda

Background: Dental caries remains a public health threat of concern among children. About 2.3 billion people are affected by dental caries, of which 530 million are children globally. Objective: This study was carried out to identify sugar fermenting bacteria in the oral cavity and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern, assess the association with sugar fermenter bacteria and dental caries and evaluate dental caries outcomes among children. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between October 2021 and February 2022 at Ruhengeri Referral Hospital. About 136 oral swab samples were collected from children with and without dental caries at 1:1 ratio. The samples were put in Stuart sterile container and transported to INES-clinical microbiology laboratory for microbial identification. Logistic regression analysis of demographic characteristics was performed to study the relationship between demographic variables and dental caries. Chi-square test was performed for the association between variables. Results: About 67.6% were male, while children of age 7­9 years (64.7%) dominated the age groups. Lactobacilli spp (15.29%) and Streptococcus mutans (12.94%) were the most predominant microorganisms observed in the oral cavity among children with dental caries. The S. mutans (x2 = 27.03, P < 0.00001, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.2901­0.5785), S. aureus (x2 = 34.59, P < 0.00001, 95% CI = 0.3541­0.6292), Enterobacter aerogenes (x2 = 13.5, P = 0.000239, 95% CI = 0.151­0.4622), Serratia marcescens (x2 = 11.64, P = 0.00645, 95% CI = 0.1275­0.4418) and Klebsiella pneumonia (x2 = 13.51, P = 0.000237, 95% CI = 0.1511­0.4623) were significantly associated with dental caries. Teeth loss (x2 = 51.04, P < 0.00001, 95% CI = 0.4757­0.7205), teeth pain (x2 = 5.05, P = 0.0246, 95% CI = 0.0249­0.33499), and infection (x2 = 4.73, P = 0.02964, 95% CI = 0.0186­0.3441) were dental outcomes associated with tooth decay. Ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, and amoxicillin were the most sensitive antibiotics, while vancomycin and chloramphenicol were the most resistant. Conclusion: Sugar consumption favours the growth of sugar fermenter bacteria that cause dental caries among children. Dental caries is associated with adverse oral health outcomes among children. Oral health education is recommended for children. Parents are advised to reduce the consumption of sugary food for their children for oral health safety.

Évaluation de l'hygiène buccodentaire des patients consultant le service d'odontostomatologie du centre de santé de référence de Ouelessebougou au Mali / Assessment of the oral hygiene of the patients consulting the odonto-stomatology service of the reference health center of 0uelessebougou in Mali

INTRODUCTION: La santé bucco-dentaire fait partie intégrante de la santé générale et du bien-être de tous les individus selon l'OMS. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer l'état buccodentaire des patients vus en consultation dans le service d'Odontostomatologie du Centre de Santé de Référence de Ouelessebougou au MALI. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Il s'agissait d'une étude prospective, transversale de type descriptif d' une période de 3 mois allant du 01 Août au 30 octobre 2018.L'étude portait sur tous les patients venus en première consultation dans le service. RÉSULTATS: Dans cette étude, le sexe masculin représentait 52% des cas avec un sex ratio de 1,08 %. La tranche d'âge la plus représentée était celle de 16 à 30 ans avec 53,25 %. La moyenne d'âge était de 30 ans. Parmi les pathologies bucco-dentaires, la carie dentaire était la plus représentée avec 94,14 % suivie des affections parodontales avec 71,82%. Cette étude a montré que 79 % des patients se brossaient les dents. Parmi les 122 patients qui se brossaient, 41,80% se brossaient 1 fois par jour, et 45,80% se brossaient 2 fois par jour. La méthode horizontale traumatisante était la plus présentée avec 78,68 %. Selon cette étude, 91% des patients avaient besoin d'enseignement de l'Hygiène Bucco-dentaire. CONCLUSION: Devant cette situation, une nouvelle orientation de la politique de santé bucco-dentaire basée sur l'odontologie préventive s'impose afin d'améliorer la santé et la qualité de vie des populations

INTRODUCTION: Oral health is an integral part of the overall health and well-being of all people according to the WHO. The objective of this study was to evaluate the oral status of patients seen in consultation in the Odonto-stomatology Department of the Ouelessebougou Reference Health Center in MALI. METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective, cross-sectional descriptive study of a 3-month period from August 1st to October 30th, 2018. The study included all the patients who had come for first consultation in the department. RESULTS: In this study, males accounted for 52% of cases with a sex ratio of 1.08%. The most represented age group was 16 to 30 years old with 53.25%. The average age was 30 years old. Among dental pathologies, tooth decay was the most represented with 94.14% followed by periodontal disease with 71.82%. This study showed that 79% of patients brushed their teeth. Of the 122 patients who brushed, 41.80% brushed once a day, and 45.80% brushed twice a day. The traumatic horizontal method was the most presented with 78.68%. According to this study, 91% of patients needed oral hygiene education. CONCLUSION: Given this situation, a new orientation of oral health policy based on preventive dentistry is needed to improve the health and quality of life of populations

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of relative saliva viscosity among carious and non-carious young adults

Objective: To determine relative saliva viscosity (RSV) among carious and non-carious young adult Nigerians. Methods: Participants included in this study were young adults of both sexes aged 11-40 years recruited and categorized as non-carious individuals as those with Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) of 0 and carious individual as those with DMFT of ≥1. The collection of unstimulated saliva samples was done using disposable cups and aspirated into 10 mls syringe. RSV was determined by allowing saliva to flow through a 10 mls syringe and measuring the rate of flow from 2 mls to 0 mls. The timing was done by means of a stopwatch and recorded in seconds. The plunger of the disposable syringe is carefully removed to allow the saliva to flow through the adaptor without the needle. The start off for the flow is usually above 2 mls but timing start off timing is at 2 mls as a precautionary measure. This is a simple and accurate model for measuring the viscousity of liquid (Figure 1). Statistical tests used in this study were independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. Statistical significance was at P <0.05. Results: The participants in this study were between 17 and 40 years with a mean age of 27.81±6.56 years. The overall mean relative saliva viscosity among the participants was 1.93±0.26. The mean relative saliva viscosity was 2.39±0.65 among participants aged 31-40years old. Female participants had mean relative saliva viscosity of 2.09±0.40. Participants with dental caries had mean relative saliva viscosity of 2.41±0.44. Conclusion: Relative saliva viscosity measured with a 10 disposable syringe was found to be higher in participants with dental caries than those without. Strategies to prevent dental caries should include efforts to increase the viscosity of saliva. Salivary viscosity of 1.16-1.66 P oise (P) (which is the CGS unit of viscosity) signifies oral cavity without dental caries. The SI Unit of viscosity is pascal second (Pa s). Ten poise equal one pascal second making the centipoise (cP) and millipascal second (mPa s) identical. Further studies on salivary viscosity and severity of dental caries is recommended

Compendium of Oral Pathologies in Children Presenting to A Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Background: Oral diseases are one of the most common non-communicable diseases. They are also the most neglected particularly in children. Objective: To determine the pattern and trend of oral diseases among children who presented in the dental clinic of a Nigerian Tertiary hospital over 58 months. Methodology: A retrospective study that assessed for oral diseases among children using the dental health records. Results: 1104 cases presented at the dental clinic, comprising 546 males and 558 females with a ratio of 1:1.02. The mean age of the subjects was 10.6 years ± 4.2 with an age range of 1 month to 17 years. Close to ninety-eight percent of cases reviewed were symptomatic. Across all age groups, dental caries and its sequalae was observed in 62.2% of cases and this was independent of age group and year of presentation (p<0.0001). Conclusion: An increasing trend of oral diseases was observed annually with the leading diagnosis been dental caries and its sequalae

Correlation between dermatoglyphics, dental caries and salivary pH: an invivo study

BACKGROUND: Dermatoglyphic patterns that are often utilized in judicial and legal investigations are valuable in diagnosis of many diseases related to genetic disorders. Caries, being infectious in origin, might be related to genetics as well. Hence, these patterns are of significance in predicting caries development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) score of 300 female subjects within the age group 0f 18-25 years were recorded and accordingly divided into 3 groups of 100 each; group 1 (DMFT score=0), group 2 (DMFT score < 5) and group 3 (DMFT score ≥ 5). Dermatoglyphic patterns were recorded using Cummins and Midlo method. pH meter was used for recording salivary pH accurately. Fingerprint patterns and salivary pH recorded were correlated with DMFT scores of subject and control groups. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Chi-square tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The mean salivary pH was least in group 3. The predominant dermatoglyphic pattern observed in groups 1 and 2 was loop pattern whereas, in group 3, whorl pattern was predominant. The TFRC (total finger ridge count) was higher in group 3 compared to the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Caries-free people showed inflated frequency of loops, whereas subjects with high decay score had additional share of whorls. The TFRC was higher in individuals with high DMFT score, and salivary pH was inversely proportional to the DMFT score

Caregivers' perceptions of the oral-health-related quality of life of children with special needs in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background: The prevalence of dental caries and its effect on the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children with special needs (CSNs) have not been established in South Africa. Aim: The study aimed to assess how caregivers of CSNs who attended Down Syndrome Association outreach sites in Johannesburg, South Africa, perceived the contribution of OHRQoL to the quality of life of these children. Setting: The study was conducted at Down Syndrome Association (DSA) outreach sites in Johannesburg. These sites cater for children with several types of disabilities including cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, autism, epilepsy and developmental delays. The association schedules and facilitates support group meetings for the caregivers of children with Down syndrome and other disabilities. These meetings are held at the outreach sites that are located at different district hospitals and community health centres in Johannesburg and are co-facilitated by the association's outreach coordinator together with a team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. Methods: This cross-sectional study was composed of a convenient sample of 150 caregiver and child pairs from five outreach sites during January ­ June 2015. The short-form Parent-Caregiver Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ) was used. The caries status of the children was assessed using the decayed, missing and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) indices (whereby dmft or DMFT stands for decayed missing filled teeth in primary dentition [dmft] and in permanent dentition [DMFT]) based on World Health Organization guidelines. Results: The mean age of the caregivers was 39.52 years (standard deviation [SD] 9.26) and 8.72 years (SD 6.07) for the children. The mean P-CPQ score was 12.88 (SD 12.14). All the caregivers stated that dental caries had a negative impact on the OHRQoL of the CSNs. However, 60% of caregivers stated that an oral condition had no impact on the child's overall well-being. The majority (56.7%) of the caregivers rated their children's overall oral health status as average and only 12% reported the oral health status to be poor. There was a high prevalence of untreated caries among the CSNs regardless of the type of disability. Conclusion: All the caregivers stated that dental caries had a negative impact on the OHRQoL of the CSNs. However, they appeared to have contradictory perceptions of the oral health needs or status of their children

Facteurs déterminants la prévalence de la carie dentaire chez les patients consultant au service d'odontologie du centre hospitalier régional de Tenkodogo, Burkina Faso

La carie dentaire est une maladie universelle répandue à travers le monde depuis des millénaires. C'est une maladie multifactorielle non transmissible évitable. Afin de réduire son impact, la présente étude a eu pour objectif de rechercher les facteurs déterminant la prévalence de la carie dentaire au service d'odontologie du Centre Hospitalier Régional (CHR) de Tenkodogo au Burkina Faso. Méthodologie. Il s'est agi d'une étude transversale descriptive qui s'est déroulée du 11 mars au 11 avril 2015. Un guide d'entretien individuel adressé aux patients a servi à la collecte des données. Le profil socio-économique, le niveau de connaissance sur l'hygiène bucco-dentaire, les pratiques en matière d'hygiène buccale, le mode alimentaire et le niveau de connaissance sur la carie dentaire ont été les variables recueillies. Résultats. Cent quarante patients dont 62,1 % de sexe féminin ont participé à l'étude. L'âge moyen était de 33,1 ans. La prévalence carieuse était de 97,1 % avec un indice DCAO moyen de 3,68 %. Un tiers des patients avait un niveau de connaissance suffisant sur l'hygiène buccale. La consommation quotidienne d'aliments sucrés était retrouvée chez 69,3 % et la pratique du grignotage chez 62,1%. La douleur était le motif de première consultation (57,1%). La visite préventive au cabinet dentaire était méconnue par 93,6 % des patients. Conclusion. Les résultats ont montré une insuffisance de connaissance de la maladie carieuse. Seule la sensibilisation pourrait aider à la réduction de la prévalence de la carie au sein de la communauté

Prévalence et facteurs de risque de la carie dentaire chez l'adolescent : étude réalisée dans les collèges de la préfecture CASA-ANFA

Introduction : Une étude épidémiologique descriptive de l'état bucco-dentaire des adolescents, a été menée dans le but de déterminer la prévalence, et les facteurs de risque de la maladie carieuse en milieu scolaire.Matériels et méthodes : L'enquête a concerné un échantillon de 1003 adolescents âgés de 12 à 18 ans scolarisés au sein de collèges publiques et privés de la région CASA-ANFA. Le niveau socio-économique, le niveau d'instruction de parents, la consommation de sucreries, les habitudes d'hygiène bucco-dentaire, la prévalence de la carie, l'indice CAOD (Nombre de dents permanentes cariées, absentes et obturées), et le MIH (Hypominéralisation molaire incisive) ont été étudiés.Résultats : La prévalence de la carie était élevée (74,9%), l'indice CAOD présentait une moyenne de 3,15 (écart type : 2,699), et le taux du MIH était de 16,0%. Les résultats obtenus ont confirmé une association statistiquement significative entre la carie dentaire et la fréquence de consommation de sucreries par les adolescents (p = 0,000043), entre le MIH et la carie dentaire (p = 0,034821), et aussi entre les habitudes de brossage dentaire et le niveau d'instruction des parents (p = 0,000378). Ces informations montrent la nécessité de développer un programme régional de promotion de la santé bucco-dentaire chez les adolescents en milieu scolaire

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 have been 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 cariesresistance or 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-economic status of the parents of the studied children with highest caries prevalence in high and middle socioeconomic classes

Evaluation de la sante bucco-dentaire des patients diabetiques camerounais

Objectif : L'objectif de cette etude etait d'evaluer la sante bucco-dentaire des diabetiques de type 2 Camerounais. Materiels et methode : Quarante et un (41) adultes; diabetiques de type 2 suivis au service d'endocrinologie de l'Hopital General de Douala ont beneficie d'un examen clinique endo buccal et ont fourni des informations relatives a leurs habitudes de vie et d'hygiene bucco-dentaire a travers un questionnaire. Les patients ont ete repartis en 2 groupes; les patients controles dont le taux d'HbA1c etait inferieur a 7; et les patients non controles dont le taux d'HbA1C etait superieur ou egal a 7. L'indice de plaque (IP); l'indice dents Cariees; Absentes ou Obturees (CAOD); et le Dutch Periodontal Screening Index (DPSI) ont ete utilises pour determiner le statut bucco-dentaire des patients. Resultats : L'age median de l'echantillon etait de 58 ans et le taux d'HbA1c median de l'echantillon etait de 8. L'IP median de l'echantillon etait de 0;58; le CAOD median etait de 1; et le DPSI median etait de 2. Les maladies parodontales et la carie etaient les seules pathologies rencontrees. Tous les patients souffraient d'une affection parodontale; pres de 87;80 souffraient de gingivite et 12;20 etaient atteints de parodontite. La prevalence de la Carie etait de 43;90. Aucune difference significative n'a ete observee entre les patients controles et non controles vis-a-vis des indices buccaux et les pathologies bucco-dentaires. Conclusion : Une attention particuliere devrait etre accordee a l'amelioration de la sante parodontale des diabetiques au Cameroun; d'autant plus qu'il est etabli que les soins parodontaux chez les diabetiques ameliorent l'equilibre glycemique

Consommation des produits de confiseries et de friandises et conséquences sanitaires chez les enfants de 1 à 5 ans du quartier Yantala plateau de la ville de Niamey

Il s'agit d'une étude descriptive transversale visant à analyser la consommation des produits de confiseries et de friandises et les conséquences sanitaires chez les enfants de 1 à 5 ans du quartier Yantala plateau de la ville de Niamey. Pour sélectionner l'échantillon, nous avons procédé par échantillonnage probabiliste et non probabiliste. Pour la réalisation de cette étude, une enquête a été conduite du 14 au 24 juin 2013. Nous avons utilisé un questionnaire avec les parents/gardiennes des enfants, un guide d'entretien avec des vendeurs des produits de confiseries et de friandises du quartier Yantala plateau. La taille de l'échantillon est de 120 parents/ gardienne des enfants et 20 vendeurs des produits de confiseries et de friandises qui coopèrent dans le quartier. Au terme de cette étude, nous avons obtenu les résultats suivants : • 81,66% des enfants sont âgés de 1 à 4 ans. • 60,83% des enfants n'ont pas été à l'école. • 95,83% des enfants consomment des biscuits. • 35% des enfants consomment 2 fois par jour les produits de confiseries et de friandises. • 56,67% des parents enquêtés disent que la consommation des produits de confiseries et de friandises par les enfants est mauvaise pour leur santé. • 90% des parents disent que les enfants aiment les produits de confiseries et de friandises à cause du gout, surtout sucré. • 61,67% attestent que les produits de confiseries et de friandises sont susceptibles de créer des douleurs abdominales. • 33,33% attestent que les produits de confiseries et de friandises sont susceptibles de créer de la carie dentaire. • 10% attestent que les produits de confiseries et de friandises sont susceptibles de créer de la diarrhée. • 23,67% des parents enquêtés suggèrent de donner modérément les produits de confiseries et de friandises aux enfants. Au vu de ces résultats auxquels nous sommes parvenus, quelques recommandations ont été formulées

Survey of the Reasons for Dental Extraction in Eastern Nigeria

Background: 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; 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

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

Prevalence of Dental Caries among Adult Patients Attending a Tertiary Dental Institution in South-South Region of Nigeria

Background: Oral health is an important component of the general health and dental caries status of a community is a good indicator of oral health status of that community. Epidemiological studies on dental caries are rare in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Aim: To determine the prevalence of dental caries among adult patients attending University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Dental centre and to compare it with previously reported results. Methods: A cross-sectional study of all patients aged 18years and above presenting with dental caries at the centre over a one-year period was conducted. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used to get the socio-demographic data of the patients. The patients were all examined and caries was diagnosed using the WHO criteria (1997). Decay; missing and filled teeth (DMFT) were recorded and restorative index was calculated (F/F+D percent). SPSS version 15 was used to generate summary statistics and student t-test was used to compare means between two groups. Results: Out of 1;927 patients that presented during the study period; only 435 had dental caries or one of its sequelae giving a prevalence of 22.6. The mean DMFT score for the group was 3.57; that of females was 3.88 while that for males was 3.08. The difference in the mean DMFT scores between the two sexes was statistically significant (p=0.026). The restorative index was 25.3. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries in our centre (22.6) falls within the previously reported 4-30rates for Nigeria. The mean DMFT score was 3.51 and the restorative index is 25.3

Evaluation of post-operative sensitivity and secondary caries in posterior composite restorations: a 12month study

Objective: To evaluate post-operative sensitivity and secondary caries associated with posterior composite restoration. Materials and Methods: The study involved restoration of occlusal and proximo-occlusal caries on premolars and molars of 62 patients seen at the out-patient clinic of the restorative department of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. The restorations were completed with a micro-hybrid light curing resin composite (Unolux BCS; UnoDent; England). Following total etch procedure and use of a type 2 (5th generation/one-bottle) adhesive. The USPHSC or modified Ryge criteria was employed for direct evaluation of the restorations over the 12 month period. Results: Post-operative sensitivity was 3.5Bravo at baseline and 1.7Bravo at 12 months. No significant change in result was recorded for post-operative sensitivity at the end of the evaluation period. 100was recorded for the absence of secondary caries throughout the evaluation period up till the 6 th month when a failed restoration scored 1.7Bravo. At 12 months Alpha scores for secondary caries was 98.3. Conclusion: Post-operative sensitivity was kept to a minimum and there were no occurrences of secondary caries

Self-medication profile of dental patients in Ondo state, Nigeria

The practice of selfmedication has been extensively researched but there is dearth of information about its modality among dental patients in developing countries. Hence; this study was designed to determine the proportion of dental patients who practice; medications employed and the reasons for resorting to self medication in general dental populations in Ondo State; Nigeria and tomake appropriate recommendations. This study was conducted between June 2007 and June 2008 at the Federal Medical Centre; Owo and State Specialist Hospital; Akure; Ondo State; Nigeria. Five hundred and thirty six consenting respondents were selected by multistage sampling technique and interviewed with the aid of semi structured questionnaire. Results: Almost half of the respondents (42or n=225) admitted to self medication while the majority (58) did not practice it. Drugs utilized are usually singly (56.4) rather than in combination (43.6); commonly analgesics (50.1) and antibiotics (30.4); with themajority (45.8) using the medications for at least one week. The reasons cited by respondents for self medication were their perception that they know what to do and it saves time andmoney. A sizable majority of the respondents admitted to self-medication usually with analgesics. Adequate health education of the populace on the use and misuse of analgesics needs to be mounted; while dental services should be made readily available and affordable so that self medication among dental patients can be reduced to the barest minimum