Attitude and perception of mouth odour in 213 respondents.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine respondents' perception of their breath odour and their attitude to halitosis, a symptom with social, psychological and medical implications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of 213 participants at an oral health education programme organised by a female non-governmental organization, at Ibadan, Nigeria. Socio-demographic variables, individual assessment of breath odour, attitude, experience and knowledge of halitosis were evaluated using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: About 67.1% (143) did not perceive foul odour from their oral cavity at any time of the day while one respondent perceived a persistently foul breath. 83.1% would like to be told if their breath smells foul and were of the opinion that such information was helpful. 25 respondents considered such remarks embarrassing/insulting, preferring not being told. Seventy-seven (36.2%) would consult the dentist, while 13% (27) would use agents such as chewing gums and candies to mask oral malodour if their breath odour was foul. 80 respondents had been in contact with individuals with foul breath but only 38.8% of them informed the individuals with malodour that their breath odour was foul. CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents had a good impression of their breath odour and would appreciate it when informed that their breath is offensive. A few individuals were reluctant to inform people with bad breath while some took exception to such information. To reduce the present stigma and reluctance to discuss bad breath, steps must be taken to re-orientate people through public enlightenment programmes on the aetiology, available remedy for halitosis and how to convey sensitive information to people.

The knowledge and experience of personal and professional oral care among secondary school students in Ibadan.

OBJECTIVE: Many developing nations of the world have experienced an increase in the incidence and prevalence of oral diseases in the last few decades. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude as well as the experience of personal and professional oral care of secondary school students in Ibadan, in order to understand how to promote a better oral health habit amongst them. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Questionnaires including items relating to knowledge, attitude as well as personal and professional oral care were administered to the subjects. RESULTS: A total of 267 students from Ibadan North Local government area of Ibadan, Oyo state participated in the study. Of these 71.5% clean their mouth twice daily, only 4.1% of the students have used dental floss at least once before. 55.5% of them have been to the dentist before. Only 16.2% of those that have been to the dentist before went for a check. 6.7% of the students know that dental floss is an interdental cleaning device. About 75 % of the students believe that routine dental check-up helps in maintaining a good oral health while about 22 % were of the opinion that it is not necessary or that it is burdensome. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there is the need for oral health education and promotion that links healthy behaviours and habits to the general well being of individuals because as seen from this study, knowledge is not enough to motivate individuals to adopt a healthy behaviour.

A retrospective histopathological review of oral squamous cell carcinoma in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

This study was undertaken to describe the demographic pattern of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Ibadan, Nigeria and compare our findings with that of other countries. It involved a retrospective review of OSCC diagnosed at the University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria between 1990 and 2008. A review of studies from other countries was done with respect to the three most frequently affected sites by OSCC, as well as mean ages and gender ratios. OSCC comprised 181 (43.7%) of the 414 malignant neoplasms diagnosed in the oral cavity within the study period. The most frequently affected sites were the maxillary gingiva (24.9%) and mandibular gingiva (21.5%). There was a slight male preponderance; with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. The peak age was in the eighth decade of life. About 17.7% of cases were diagnosed in patients below the age of 40 years and 1.1% of cases occurred in children. Worldwide, the tongue is the most frequently affected site by squamous cell carcinoma followed by the floor of the mouth. Males are also more frequently affected. In conclusion, OSCC remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality among middle aged individuals in our environment and worldwide, but sometimes affecting younger individuals.

Knowledge and self-perception of breath odour amongst house officers at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the knowledge and perception of house officers on halitosis in the University College Hospital, Ibadan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Questionnaires including items relating to knowledge of halitosis, awareness and timing of bad breath, oral hygiene habits and opinions on other issues related to bad breath were administered to the subjects. RESULTS: Only seventeen (15.5%) of the 110 respondents knew that halitosis refers to malodour originating from the oral and nasal cavities while five (5%) were of the opinion that halitosis is only a cosmetic problem. Furthermore, thirty nine (35.5%) preferred not being told by a friend or colleague if their breath smells badly. CONCLUSION: The knowledge and perception of the newly qualified doctors to halitosis in this study is unsatisfactory. Therefore, concerted efforts should be made to improve them. This could be achieved by more emphasis on this subject during their undergraduate training.

Paediatric head and neck malignancies in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Studies on paediatric head and neck cancer are limited in the medical literature. Most studies have been restricted to specific histological types such as rhabdomyosarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma or Burkitt's lymphoma. This study describes the relative frequency of cancers seen in the head and neck region of children below 16 years of age at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of 281 cases of paediatric head and neck tumours were diagnosed within the study period, out of which 84 cases were malignant. Fifty-four of these cases were males while 30 were females, giving a male to female ratio of 1.8:1. The age range for these cases was 3 days to 15 years with a mean age of 9.03 +/- 4.63 years. The most frequently diagnosed tumours were haematopoietic malignancies, accounting for 47.6% of cases, followed by sarcomas (27.4%) and carcinomas (21.4%). Burkitt's lymphoma constituted 28.6%, followed by rhabdomyosarcoma accounting for 17.9% of cases. Malignant neoplasms of the head and neck region are rare in the paediatric age group. The pattern of these neoplasms also differs from that in the adult population. However, malignant head and neck neoplasms in the paediatric age group also showed the male preponderance characteristic of head and neck malignancies in the adult population.

Agenesis of a mandibular canine: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hypodontia is one of the most common developmental anomalies in man. The most frequently missing tooth is the third molar. Agenesis of canine in the secondary dentition is rarely reported . OBJECTIVE: To report a very rare form of missing tooth in the secondary dentition due to agenesis. METHODS: A 49-year Nigerian male consulted with a desire to have a dental check-up. Extra- and intr-oral exminations were carried out. Following observation of a a missing tooth orthopanthomograph was carried out. with a missing lower right canine. All other teeth were well formed and have all erupted into the oral cavity. RESULTS: There was no history of systemic disease or family history of oligodontia and was generally well. Systemic examination was essentially normal. Intra oral examination revealed that he had full complement of teeth but for a missing lower right canine. There was a gap of about 2mm between the lower right lateral incisor and the lower right first premolar and a buccal displacement of the upper left second molar as well as a carious lesion on the upper first left molar. The orthopanthomograph showed that the tooth was not within the mandible in this patient. CONCLUSION: The cause of the aplasia resulting in this rare condition is not clear but may be due to inadequate secretion of some of the signaling molecules or localized absence of their receptors in the ectomesenchye destined to differentiate into the right canine tooth.