Postgraduate Dental Research in Nigeria: A Retrospective Appraisal of the Scope and Suggestions for Future Progress

Abstract

Background: Research is the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data to answer questions and solve problems. This study was aimed at assessing the types and scope of researches being conducted by the postgraduate dental students of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Surgeons, and their relevance to solving oral health problems in Nigeria.

Method: The study was conducted by reviewing all Nigerian dissertations submitted to the faculties of Dental Surgery of the two postgraduate colleges between 1984 and 2004.

Results: Ninety two di.ssertations were included in the study of which 86 were descriptive studies. 37 of these were retrospective, 33 were cross-sectional, and 22 were prospective. Limitations identified by the researchers included lack of funding, low oral health awareness among the populace, lack of appropriate technology and poor social infrastructure. It however appeared as if these researches have not proffered solutions to the problems facing oral health care in Nigeria.

Conclusion: There is a clear need for a shift of the focus of research from epidemiological to analytical and experimental studies. To achieve this, the level of funding needs to be improved. Interactions with Faculties of dentistry in developed countries are also vital.


NQJHM Vol. 16 (2) 2006: pp. 66-68