Factors associated with dental clinic use by clients in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Nigeria, like many other countries, faced challenges in dental care provision during the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating limited care to emergencies only. However, the impact of restricted access to dental services on oral health remains a concern, particularly with preventive maintenance care. This study aims to identify the factors associated with dental service utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic among patients attending dental clinics in Nigeria, and their sources of information about COVID-19. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 500 participants who had visited dental clinics before and during the pandemic. Data were collected through telephone interviews and online questionnaires between September and December 2021. Inferential analyses were conducted using ordered logistic regression models to assess the association between the independent (awareness of emergency dental treatments, knowledge of COVID-19 transmission routes in dentistry, awareness of required preparations in dental practice settings, fear of COVID-19 infection in dental settings), and dependent (utilization of dental services during the pandemic) variables after adjusting for confounding variables (age, sex, educational status, COVID-19 vaccinations status and COVID-19 status of live-in residents). The sources of COVID-19 information by dental patients was also identified. Statistical significance was established at 95% confidence level with a p value < 0.05. RESULTS: Many participants were males (51.2%) and had tertiary education (61.6%). Fear of COVID-19 infection in dental settings was significantly associated with lower odds of utilizing dental care services during the pandemic (Adjusted Odds Ratio: -0.06, 95% Confidence Interval: -0.08, -0.01). The main sources of COVID-19 information were mass media and social networks, with only 42% receiving information from dental professionals. CONCLUSION: Fear of COVID-19 infection in dental settings significantly influenced dental service utilization during the pandemic. Strategies to address fear and improve communication channels between dental professionals and patients are essential for promoting oral health during similar crises.

Relationship between masseter muscle thickness and overbite values in a Nigerian population

Objective: This study determined the relationship between masseter muscle thickness and overbite values among Nigerians. Methods: The subjects included 66 consecutive patients (21 males and 45 females) who presented for fixed orthodontic appliance treatment. Overbite values were measured from standard lateral cephalometric radiographs taken for all patients,who were thereafter divided into three groups of reduced overbite (n=22, mean -1.11+ 2.18mm), normal overbite (n=22, mean 2.59+0.50mm) and increased overbite (n=22, mean 5.21+1.39mm). The masseter muscle thickness of each patient was measured bilaterally using ultrasonography. Associations between masseter muscle thickness and different overbite values were analyzed using unpaired t-test, ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison analysis. Results: Mean masseter muscle thickness was 11.23 ± 2.40 mm during relaxation and 12.81 ± 2.64 mm during contraction for study participants. The masseter muscle on the habitual side of mastication of participants was generally thicker but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There was a progressive increase in masseter muscle thickness from reduced overbite through normal overbite to increased overbite groups and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). Tukey's multiple comparisons showed significant differences between all the three overbite groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: There was a direct relationship between the muscle thickness and overbite variations (AU)