Tanzania Dental Journal

Editorial: Managing periodontal conditions: Are dentists giving its due importance?

2018-01-08T14:27:38+00:00

No Abstract

Periodontal status and treatment needs among cardiac patients at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

2018-01-08T14:27:40+00:00

Background: Periodontal diseases have been reported to be associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the periodontal status and treatment needs among adult cardiac patients in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Methodology: A hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic information, followed by clinical examination for dental plaque, gingival bleeding, calculus, periodontal pockets (PPT) and gingival recession. To enable determination of periodontal treatment needs, data for periodontal conditions was transformed into Community Periodontal Index and Treatment Needs (CPITN) codes. Chi-square test was used to determine the associations of periodontal conditions with demographic variables studied. Level of significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: The prevalence of periodontal conditions was high for gingival bleeding (100%), dental plaque (99.4%)and calculus (99.7%), but very low for periodontal pockets ≥ 3.5 mm (9.4%). Statistically significant higher mean percent site with plaque, calculus and gingival bleeding was seen in posterior teeth (t-tests = -16.07, 12.22, and -4.8; p< 0.001 respectively). Gingival recession and loss of attachment was statistically significantly higher in upper teeth (t-test= -3.45, p< 0.001), anterior teeth (t-test= 6.3 and 5.5; p< 0.001 respectively). Periodontal treatment needs was 100.0%, 99.7%, and 0.9% for oral hygiene instructions (OHI), scaling and root planing (SRP), and periodontal surgery respectively.

Conclusion: The prevalence of plaque, calculus and gingival bleeding was high among cardiac patients examined, but low for periodontal pocketing, gingival recession and loss attachment. The periodontal treatment needs were mainly oral hygiene instructions, scaling and root planning. Surgical periodontal therapy was limited to the few.

Keywords: Periodontal status, cardiovascular diseases, cardiac patients, treatment needs, Muhimbili National Hospital

Awareness and perception of oral health services among Chifubu secondary school students in Ndola, Zambia

2018-01-08T14:27:43+00:00

Aim: To determine awareness and perception of oral health services and their influence on the utilization of oral health services.

Subjects and Methods: A total of 353 simple randomly selected pupils aged 11-20 years at Chifubu secondary school in Ndola participated in the study. Data was collected using structured close ended self administered questionnaire which inquired on socio-demographics, awareness and perception of oral health services. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0. The chi square test was used to test for associations where significance was assumed when p≤0.05.

Results: Majority of respondents were aged 16 to 20 years (52.4%), 52.7% boys, and 51.8% were in grade 10 - 12. Most participants reported to have received some oral health information (81.6%) mainly from teachers but 86.7% were not aware of specific oral health procedures. The overall perception on oral health among those who agree was 58.6%, while 47% disagree on the overall perception on the utilization of dental services. The main reason for utilizing the service was pain and bleeding. The main reasons for not seeking care were that they never thought it was important (31.2%), distance (17.3%) and cost (15%). The utilization of services was associated with age p= 0.029. Overall awareness was associated with age p= 0.046 and grade p= 0.007. Students with a positive utilization on oral health tended to be younger (p<0.001) and in lower grades (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The majority of respondents were not aware of the dental services. Therefore, awareness campaigns are required on available oral health services. Perception of oral health was not statistically different by age, sex and grade. Most respondents had never utilized oral health services.

Keywords: Awareness, Perception, Oral health services, students, Ndola, Zambia

Oral hygiene practices and oral health care seeking behaviours among primary school teachers in Ndola, Zambia

2018-01-08T14:27:45+00:00

Aim: To determine the oral hygiene practices and oral health care seeking behaviours among primary school teachers.

Materials and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among primary school teachers from public schools in Ndola district, Zambia.The primary schools were selected using stratified random sampling method. Chi square test was used to determine differences in oral hygiene practices and oral health care seeking behaviours between males and females teachers. The level of significance set at 5%.

Results: Most of the respondents (92.7%) brushed their teeth at least twice daily. Toothpick and flossing were used to clean in between the teeth by 68.5% and 23.5% of the respondents respectively. About three quarters reported that regular dental visits were important. About three quarters (71.6%) reported to have paid dental visit during the last one year. The most common reasons for dental visit were relief of pain (66.2%), regular (preventive) visit (28.9%), and bleeding gums (17.4%). Regular visit to the dentist were thought to be important by 71.6% respondents.

Conclusion: Most of the respondents reported brushing teeth twice or more per day. Two third reported to use tooth picking to clean in between teeth. Toothache was the main reason for dental attendance. A quarter of respondents reported regular dental visits. It is recommended that oral health staff give information to clients seeking treatment on the importance of regular dental visits.

Keywords: Oral hygiene practices; health seeking behaviours; School teacher; Zambia

Traumatic dental injuries and associated factors in permanent incisors among 8 to 14 years old pupils in Ndola, Zambia

2018-01-08T14:27:47+00:00

Background: Traumatic dental injuries in children are increasingly becoming a serious dental public health problem worldwide. Despite this fact, less attention has been directed to this problem compared to other common oral problems like dental caries.

Aims: To determine the prevalence, causes and correlates of traumatic dental injuries among grades 4 to 7 pupils in Ndola Urban.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2015.

Methods: Multistage sampling technique was adopted to select participants from 9 zones of Ndola District. Traumatic Dental Injuries (TDI) were classified according to modified Ellis classification. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, prevalence, causes, treatment and consequences of trauma. Clinical examination was done using a mouth mirror under natural light. Epi Data version 3.1 was used for data entry while SPSS version 16.0 was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was used to determine correlates for TDI. P-value ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: Out of 1570 children, 49 (3.1%) had TDI. Of the 49 children who had TDI, 44(89.9%) sustained one tooth injury. The most affected tooth was maxillary central incisors 47(95.9%) and class 1 was the commonest injury 35(71.4%). Most accidents occurred at home 31(63.3%) with the commonest cause implicated being playing sport (40.8%). None of the participants with TDI had received treatment following the injury at the time of examination.

Conclusion: Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries was low. None of the injured had been treated.

Keywords: Traumatic dental injuries, prevalence, causes, permanent incisors