Journal of Paediatric Dental Research and Practice

Integrating Oral Health into Pediatric Care In Nigeria: The Time Is Now

Olubukola Olamide Olatosi — 2024-12-20

The editorial of the Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Research and Practice (JPDRP)

The official publication of the Nigerian Association of Paediatric Dentistry

Volume 5, Issues 1 and 2

Prevalence and Reasons for Extraction of Over-retained Primary Teeth: A Retrospective Study.

Ifueko Patience OSAGHAE — 2024-12-20

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and duration of over-retained primary teeth and assess the reasons for their extractions after the elapsed age of natural exfoliation.

Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients who presented at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department of the Central Hospital with over-retained primary teeth from June 2018 to June 2021. Data was collected on patients who underwent primary tooth extractions, including the number of teeth extracted. Patients aged 14 years and older were included in the study at the time of extraction. Data extracted from patient records included age, gender, extracted tooth type and location, diagnosis for extraction, and the interval between the expected age of natural exfoliation and the actual extraction date. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel, version 10. Descriptive statistics, in the form of frequencies and percentages, were generated and presented in tabular and graphical formats.

Conclusion: The prevalence of over-retained primary teeth was low; the primary mandibular right canine was the most persistent tooth, and the presence of “Double teeth” in patients’ words was the most common reason for extraction.

Oral Health Status, Behaviour and Treatment Needs Among 2–5-year-old Children in Selected Nursery Schools in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Taofeek Olalekan LIGALI — 2024-12-20

Objective: To determine the oral health status, behaviour and treatment needs among 2 to 5-year-old children in selected nursery schools in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of two hundred and thirty-nine children aged 2-5 years old and selected by simple random sampling from three private nursery schools. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on children’s oral health behaviour and practices from their parents. A modified WHO assessment form was used to assess oral health status and treatment needs. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Chi-square were used for data analysis on SPSS 23.0 at P<0.05.

Results: The sample exhibited a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1, an age range of 2-5 years, modal age of 5 years, 57.0% (n = 136). The prevalence of early childhood caries was 20.1% (n = 48), standard error (SE) = 0.03, mild to moderate gingivitis was 36.8% (n = 88), SE = 0.04, anterior tooth fractures was 2.1% (n = 5), SE = 0.01; hypoplastic teeth was 4.2% (n = 10), SE = 0.01; tooth wear lesions in 6.3% (n = 15); and malocclusion in 4.5% (n = 11), SE = 0.04. The mean DMFT score was 0.72 and the significant caries (SiC) index was 5.6. Most of the participants (53.6%, n = 128, SE = 0.123) consumed sugary diets, 78.2% (n = 187) had never visited a dentist and 29.3% (n = 70) of the participants required restorative dental treatment (SE = 0.10).

Conclusion: The burden of early childhood caries and the prevalence of gingivitis were considerable in this study. Oral health behaviour was poor and might have had an impact on their unmet treatment needs. Oral health promotion should be targeted at the caregivers of this vulnerable population to ensure improvement in their oral health behaviour and ultimately translate to better oral health status.