Oral health status of diabetes mellitus patients in Southwest Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus affects virtually all tissues and organs the body including the hard and soft issues of the oral cavity, manifesting with several complications. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of oral diseases in diabetics and non-diabetics and to correlate oral diseases with glycaemic control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational study involving 149 diabetic patients recruited from hospitals in Southwest Region of Cameroon and 102 non-diabetic controls drawn from the general population. The study participants were aged 18 years and above. Data were collected using questionnaires, oral examination and laboratory tests. Oral examination was conducted to assess dental plaque, calculus, dental caries, periodontitis, gingivitis and candidiasis. Glycemic status was assessed by measuring glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels using standardized methods. RESULTS: Thirty five out of 149 (23.5%) diabetic patients had gingivitis; 37 (24.8%) had periodontitis; 29 (19.5%) had dental caries and 32 (21.5%) had oral candidiasis. Gingivitis, periodontitis and oral candidiasis was significantly higher in diabetics than non-diabetics (P < 0.001). Also, more diabetic patients presented with poor oral hygiene than non-diabetics. Poorly controlled diabetics presented more with gingivitis and candidiasis than well-controlled diabetics and this relationship was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of oral disease was significantly higher in diabetics than in non-diabetic controls and hyperglycaemia seemed to be a major contributor to oral health in diabetic patients in the study area. Proper management of blood sugar levels might improve on the oral health of diabetes mellitus patients.

Prevalence and unmet treatment need of traumatized incisor among Cameroonian schoolchildren in North West Province.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and unmet treatment need of traumatized incisor in 12-13 years old among Cameroonian Schoolchildren in the North West Province. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey among 12-13 years old children of selected rural and urban secondary schools in North West province of Cameroon was conducted between March and November, 2010. RESULTS: The majority of the 2287 studied children were females (50.2%) and urban dwellers (51.8%). Of the 2287 studied children, 45 of them exhibited evidence of incisor trauma giving a prevalence of 2.0%. This prevalence was higher in males than females (2.3% versus 1.7%) and also higher in urban than rural schools (2.2% versus 1.7%). Upper central incisor was the predominantly traumatized tooth and enamel fracture constituted 62.2% of incisor trauma. Fall and sports were the leading cause of incisor trauma in this study. Some minor variations in the causes of incisor trauma were found among gender and location. The prevalence of unmet treatment need was 91.1% which were mainly acid etch restoration. Males and rural dwellers had more unmet treatment need. CONCLUSION: Data revealed a low prevalence of traumatized incisor with high prevalence of unmet treatment needs among Cameroonian Schoolchildren in North West Province. Findings of this survey provide baseline information on prevalence and unmet treatment need for traumatized incisor among Cameroonian Schoolchildren in the North West Province.

Smokeless tobacco use, tooth loss and oral health issues among adults in Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use in smokeless and smoked forms is preventable cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use and the association with tooth loss and oral health problems among adults in Cameroon. METHODS: Adults dwelling in the Fokoue area of West Region of Cameroon were studied. RESULTS: Out of the 226 participants studied, 119 of them reported smokeless tobacco use giving a prevalence of 52.7% with majority-74 (62.2%) chewing it. Three-quarters (77.3%) of the respondents use it more than than thrice-daily and more than half of them respondents have been using it for 6-10 years. The smokeless tobacco users were more of those aged 50-59 years, females, farmers, those with less than post-primary education, non alcohol consumers and those that have not received previous dental care than smokeless tobacco users. However, it was only age (p=0.006) and educational attainment (p=0.009) that were significantly associated with smokeless tobacco use. Smokeless tobacco user were more likely to have poor oral hygiene, dental caries, gingival recession, leukoplakia, erythroplakia, abnormal growth, tooth wear lesion, experienced tooth loss and edentulousnss than non smokeless tobacco users. However, the significantly associated lesions with smokeless tobacco use were tooth loss (p=0.008), edentulousness (p=0.016), gingival recession (p=0.006) and leukoplakia (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use was high among adults in Cameroon and it was associated with more likelihood of oral health problems. There is therefore a need for health education on the health consequences of the smokeless tobacco use with demonstrations by the dentist.

Tooth bleaching and young adults in Nigeria: knowledge, experiences and intention.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, experiences and intention to have tooth bleaching among young adults studying in a Nigerian University. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-section of part-time undergraduate students of University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria were studied in 2010 using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: About three-quarters 289 (72.4%) of the respondents reported awareness of at least one cause of tooth discoloration. A total of 143 (35.8%) of the respondents have heard of tooth bleaching with main sources of information being friends/relatives, dentists and the internet. One-third 132 (33.1%) of the respondents correctly identified that the aim of tooth bleaching was to make the teeth whiter. The respondents that had correct knowledge about mechanism, duration and complications of tooth bleaching were 51 (12.8%), 25 (6.3%) and 35 (8.8%) respectively. The major perceived benefits of tooth bleaching reported by the respondents were self confidence boost 152 (38.1%) and improvement of one's beauty 107 (26.8%). Out of the 68 (17.0%) respondents that have attempted tooth bleaching, 36 (52.9%) used tooth whitening toothpaste. Out of the 151 (37.8%) respondents that expressed intention of having tooth bleaching procedure, 32 (21.2%) would pursue the course, no matter the cost. CONCLUSION: In the studied population, knowledge of tooth discoloration was high, awareness and experiences of tooth bleaching were low but significant number expressed intention of having tooth bleaching. It is important that dentists increase oral health information particularly tooth bleaching information accessibility to the young adult population to improve the knowledge and prevent adverse effects.

Oral Warts among Children Attending a Missionary Dental Clinic in Cameroon

To determine the prevalence of oral warts among children attending missionary dental clinic in Cameroon. This prospective study of children presenting in the Dental Clinic of Cameroon Baptist Convention with oral warts was conducted between January 2006 and August 2010. During the study period; 31 children out of 2912 children had oral warts giving a prevalence rate of 1.1. Out of which; 15 (48.4) of children with oral warts were aged between 7-10 years old; 20 (64.5) were females; 3 (9.7) were HIV positive. Lips were the most predominant oral site among the children. The recurrence rate following treatment with electrocautery was 1 (3.2). The overall prevalence of oral warts among Cameroonian children in a dental clinic setting was low. It was commoner in children aged 7-10 years; females and HIV negative children. Lips were the most predominant oral site in children and recurrence rate following treatment with electrocautery was low