Acceptability of midline diastema among dental technician students at the University College Hospital, Ibadan

Abstract

Background: There has being divergent views expressed concerning the acceptability or otherwise of midline diastema based on socio-cultural factors. Some have accepted the trait to the extent of artificially creating it, while others considered it as unacceptable.
Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of dental technician students who were on clinical attachment at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. They were assessed for the presence or absence of midline diastema and the severity of midline diastema was then measured in millimeter. Level of attachment of the median labial frenum was also assessed in relationship to the diastema.
Results: One hundred and sixty-four of the students completed and  returned the questionnaire consisting of 16 (9.8%) males and 148 (90.2%) females. Forty-six (28.0%) had diastema, which majorly were found in relationship with the maxilla (32/46) and eleven of the diastemas affected both jaws. Majority of the affected individuals (31/46) accepted the condition, while 4/46 found it unacceptable. There was a statistically significant relationship when the presence of midline diastema was compared with the level of frenal attachment (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The fact that a few of the respondents considered that midline diastema is not acceptable may be a shift in the normal trend of accepting the phenomenon as adding to beauty in this environment. This may have an implication in the future management of dental patient.

Keywords: Midline Diastema, Acceptability, Student, Dental Technicians
Running title: Acceptability of midline diastema