Profil des édentements partiels selon la classification de Kennedy-Applegate dans une structure de soins dentaires de Lomé (Togo) / Profile of partial edentulism according to the Kennedy-Applegate classification in a dental care structure in Lome (Togo)

Introduction. La documentation des édentements partiels est un indicateur de l'état buccodentaire et permet d'évaluer les besoins en soins prothétiques. L'objectif de ce travail était de décrire le profil des édentements partiels selon la classification de Kennedy-Applegate dans une structure de soins dentaires. Matériels et méthodes. Il Une étude transversale descriptive a été réalisée durant 3 mois dans le service d'odonto-stomatologie et de chirurgie maxillo-faciale du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sylvanus Olympio (CHU-SO) de Lomé (Togo). Les données sociodémographiques et cliniques des patients inclus ont été recueillies et analysées grâce au logiciel Jamovi® version 2.2.5. Résultats. L'échantillon comportait 82 sujets dont 50% de femmes. L'âge moyen était de 47,4 ± 15,1ans. Les édentements de classe III de Kennedy prédominaient avec 75,2% des arcades édentées. Les édentements de classe III étaient retrouvés à 82,1% dans la tranche d'âge 19-40 ans, les 61 ans et plus comptaient 20% des classes I et 24% des classes II. L'édentement était significativement associé à l'âge (p=0,046). Conclusion. Il apparait que la classe III de Kennedy est globalement la plus fréquente des édentements partiels et que l'étendue édentement augmenterait avec l'âge

Introduction. Documentation of partial edentulism is an indicator of oral health status and enables prosthetic care needs to be assessed. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of partial edentulism according to the Kennedy-Applegate classification in a dental care facility. Materials and methods. This A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a 3-month period in the Odonto-stomatology and maxillofacial surgery department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sylvanus Olympio (CHU-SO) in Lomé (Togo). The sociodemographic and clinical data of the included patients were collected and analysed using Jamovi® version 2.2.5 software. Results. The sample included 82 subjects, 50% of whom were women. The average age was 47.4 ± 15.1 years. Kennedy class III edentulism predominated with 75.2% of edentulousness arches. Class III edentulous was found at 82.1% in the 19-40 years age group, those aged 61 years and over had 20% of class I and 24% of class II. Edentulism was significantly associated with age (p=0.046). Conclusion. It appears that Kennedy class III is globally the most frequent of partial edentulism and that the extent of edentulism would increase with age.

Waste management practices among dental surgery staff of major hospitals in Accra: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Introduction: the practice of dentistry in contemporary times produces considerable waste that could be harmful to individuals and the environment at large. In Ghana and many other jurisdictions, there are guidelines that outline how these wastes should be managed. This study was conducted to explore practices concerning dental waste management among dental surgery staff in some public facilities in Accra, Ghana. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study involving dental surgery staff of four major facilities in Accra was done. Overall, 124 staff from the selected facilities participated in the study, and 51 different dental surgeries were assessed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an observation checklist. The questionnaire included questions on socio-demographics, as well as knowledge and practices regarding dental waste management. Results: there was unsatisfactory knowledge of waste disposal, while practices did not generally meet international recommendations and the Ministry of Health´s (MOH) guidelines. Though all respondents stored their sharp waste in puncture-proof containers, 98.4% did not label their clinical waste, while 62.9% would dispose of used X-ray fixers by pouring them down the drain. None of the 51 surgeries observed had more than one colour code available. Conclusion: there is a palpable need for education, monitoring, and empowerment concerning waste management in Ghana´s oral healthcare system.

Fixed-prosthodontics in Nigerian private practice settings

Context: Private practice dentistry is predominant in Nigeria. Audits of fixed-prosthodontic practice in these settings are rare and will highlight capacity and guide training. This study aimed to assess the scope and quality of fixed-prosthodontic practice in such settings in Nigeria. Objectives: The study sought to assess: Participants' sociodemographic and their diagnostic and preoperative practices. The quality of impression making and operative technique, reviews and maintenance, temporization practices and communication with the laboratory.The range of treatments given and provision of advanced treatments. Materials and Methods: An adapted questionnaire was administered electronically on Nigerian dentists practicing fixed-prosthodontics in private practice settings. Retrieved data underwent descriptive statistics and associations were tested with the Fischer's Exact and Chi-Square tests using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05. Results: A total of 100 valid responses with a male:female ratio of 2.1:1 from 16 states wereretrieved. Fifty-nine participants had only first degrees and mean experience was 14.3±9.5 years. There were 27 adequate responses with regards to range of treatments offered. Sixty-three participants practiced direct temporization. Twenty-one and 14 participants regularly practiced implantology and CAD/CAM dentistry respectively. Direct temporization was significantly associated with increasing education (X2=6.03, p=0,05) and experience (X2=13.2, p=0.03). Conclusion: Only a few Nigerian dentists in private practice gave an adequate range of treatment. Most of them prefer direct temporization. Implantology and CAD/CAM dentistry practice are improving, but are still not very common.

COVID-19 pandemic and dental practice in Ghana

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems and their provision of care has globally been challenged, including the delivery of Oral healthcare. In Ghana, it has become imperative that healthcare delivery including the practice of Dentistry and its sub-specialties be re-oriented in our peculiar setting to ensure minimal risk of spread of the infection. This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the practice of Dentistry in the country

Self-reported hearing-related complaints among dental professionals: a questionnaire-based survey

Background: As a result of workplace noise, dental personnel are potentially predisposed to auditory and non-auditory effects of noise which may expose hidden or imminent hearing impairment. There is the need to capture these self-reported hearing and hearing-related complaints using well designed questionnaires as a prelude to formal audiometric tests. Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire study conducted between the periods April to August 2015. Participants were given questionnaires to fill and return which captured socio-demographic data and exposure to noise at workplace and symptoms experienced. Upon return of the questionnaire, each questionnaire was examined to ensure they were properly filled with signed consent. All data and findings were evaluated anonymously. Results: One hundred and thirty eight questionnaires were returned giving 86% response rate, 35(25.4%) reported hearing impairment. Eighteen (13.0%) respondents have experienced tinnitus, while 20 (14.5%) of the respondents experienced Hyperacusis, another 53(38.4%) of the respondents also have difficulty hearing in places with competing noise. Stress and sleep disturbance were also common complains. Conclusion: The presence of especially tinnitus, hyperacusis, impaired hearing in areas with competing sounds are all symptoms indicative of imminent hearing impairment that could be used to predict undetected hearing losses among dental personnel

Educational use of digital video in the context of practical work in dentistry prospective evaluation survey of the optimal duration of educational films by second-year students of dentistry in Rabat

The transmission of knowledge is a critical step that requires dedication and logistic assets to achieve the desired objective.Among these advantages is the online launch of educational films on the university's platform which aims at the improvement of understanding by students, and the information provided during practical work. For this, we have made three videos on the implementation of shaped clasps, while fixing the duration of the films successively at 8min50, 5min05 and 3min30. The videos were evaluated by the entire class through a questionnaire distributed to students who were present in the practical work training session. The biostatistical analysis revealed the preference to be for the 8min50 video with an initial viewing percentage of 59.3%. At a second and another viewing, preference was successively in favor of the 5min05 video (54.5%) and that of 3min 30 (43.4%). Furthermore, the students' favorite videos were those with a time interval of 10 to 20 minutes (46.9%) for upcoming educational materials

Knowledge; Attitudes and Practices Towards HIV Positive and AIDS Patients among Public Service Dentists in Nairobi

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge; practices and attitudes towards HIV Positive/AIDS patients among 112 dentists from public institutions in Nairobi using a self-administered questionnaire. 94(83.9) responded. Over 74had managed HIV positive/AIDS patients. In general; respondents' knowledge and preventive measures against HIV infection were satisfactory. 8.5did not find use of protective eye wear absolutely necessary. 33used protective covers routinely. 52.1advocated for the screening of all suspected cases of AIDS before treatment. 27.7felt that HIV positive health workers and those with AIDS should not be allowed to treat patients. 53.2felt that they should be given the right to decide on treating HIV Positive/AIDS patients. 10.6supported the idea that AIDS patients be isolated from uninfected individuals. It is concluded that a substantial number of dentists were wanting in their attitudes towards HIV positive/AIDS patients

Physiotherapy in dentistry : the experience in U.C.H. Ibadan

Physiotherapy has been involved in the management of various clinical conditions in the University College Hospital; Ibadan. However a low frequency of referrals from the department of Dentistry was observed. A two-year review of case notes in the Department of Dentistry showed 226 cases who could have benefited from physiotherapy; but only seven of the cases were referred. Case report of three patients were presented to highlight the value of early physiotherapy intervention in some temporomandibular disorders

Oral Health Status in Southern Malawian School Children: Part II

A knowledge; attitude and practice survey (KAP) of 12 year old primary school children and their teachers was carried out in the southern region of Malawi. Two schools; within easy access from a district hospital; were chosen from each district in the southern region. 160 randomly selected questions were examined during June and July 1990 (male:female ratio of appropriately 1:1)