ROUTINE RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN CLINICALLY HEALTHY EDENTULOUS JAW BONES OF PATIENTS SEEKING THEIR FIRST SET OF COMPLETE DENTURE PROSTHESES.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the role of routine radiographic examination of clinically healthy completely edentulous jaws prior to fabrication of the first set of complete dentures. DESIGN: Cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study. SETTINGS: The departments of Conservative and Prosthetic Dentistry, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine/Oral Pathology, Dental Maxillofacial Radiology of the School of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty eight records were examined of which only 47(25%) had radiographic records. One hundred and fifty two significant radiographic findings and indices were recorded, which included retained roots, impacted teeth, significant radioluscencies and radiopacities, calcified stylohyoid ligament, extensive alveolar bone resorption, condylar changes and mandibular cortical index. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the high diagnostic yield of routine preprosthetic treatment radiographic examination. It also puts into perspective various anatomical indices in the jaw which, with proper interpretation, may determine or influence management decisions and prognosis in individual patients.

Oral cancer at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of oral cancer in the African population is still uncertain. Earlier reports suggested a relatively low incidence of oral cancer among Africans. However, there have been recent reports of an upward trend in the incidence of oral cancers in developing countries as a consequence of changes in life style and the emergence of new diseases. It is, therefore, reasonable to expect changes in the pattern of oral cancer in Kenya in view of these changes. OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in the pattern of oral cancer in the past 20 years. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. SETTING: Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. METHOD: Pathology records of cases of oral cancer diagnosed at Kenyatta National Hospital from 1978 to 1997 were analysed for relative frequency, age, sex and site distribution. RESULTS: Of a total 22,788 malignancies 821 cases (3.6%) were oral cancer. Yearly relative frequency of oral cancer ranged between 1.5% of the total malignancies. There was a small male predominance (M:F = 1.3:1). The most preferred site for oral cancer was the tongue but with a significant number involving the maxilla and mandible. Comparison with a previous study did not demonstrate a dramatic change in the pattern of oral cancer in Kenya. An overall gradual decline of cancers diagnosed at Kenyatta National Hospital was noted. This decline could not be accounted for in this study. CONCLUSION: This study does not show any increase in the frequency or change in the pattern of oral cancer in this population despite changes in life style and the emergence of AIDS disease in the country.

Provision of removable denture prosthesis at a university teaching hospital in Kenya.

OBJECTIVE: To compile an audit of removable denture prosthesis fabricated for patients attending a teaching clinic. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis. SETTING: Division of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya. METHOD: Clinical records of the patients attended to in the prosthetic teaching clinic from 1993 to 1997 inclusive were analysed to extract information regarding the quality of clinical notes and the pattern of provision of prostheses. RESULTS: A total of 817 patients were provided with dentures of whom 602 were provided with complete upper and lower dentures. Single complete dentures were fabricated for 18 patients and 197 patients had partial dentures fabricated. CONCLUSION: While the number of prostheses provided may be in conformity with the unit resources, clinical notes were found to have significant omissions for which recommendations have been suggested.