Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf): Open Journal Systems
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Prevalence and risk factors of missed appointment among paediatric patients after minor oral surgical procedures in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria
Full text linkMissed appointments are common in paediatric dentistry, yet not many studies have explored its prevalence and associated factors. To determine the prevalence of missed appointments and the associated factors. This prospective study design recruited all consecutive paediatric patients that presented for minor oral surgical procedures from 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021. Data collected was the age of patients, gender, parents’ educational level, distance from the clinic, type of minor oral surgical procedures and missed appointments. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Chi-square test of association was used to determine the association between study participants’ age, sex, parents’ educational level, the distance from the clinic, and the prevalence of missed dental appointments. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the predictors. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 26 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA). A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. A total of 182 paediatric dental patients, age ranged from 0.5 to 16 years and with a mean age of 8.55+3.88 participated. Most (60.4%) of the patients were females and 46.2% of them were of school age. Most of the parents had a tertiary level of education and lived within 7 to 12 kilometers from the clinic. The prevalence of missed appointments was 54.9% and the most performed minor oral surgical procedure was primary tooth extraction. The relationship between age group, minor surgical procedures with missed appointments was statistically significant (P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the type of surgical procedure was the only independent predictor of missed appointments (p<0.05) The prevalence of missed appointments in this study is remarkably high. Although the age of the patients and the type of procedure was associated with the prevalence of missed appointment, it was only the type of surgical procedure that was a significant risk factor for missed appointment
Cornu cutaneum in the maxillofacial region – A case report
Full text linkCornu cutaneum are horn-like skin protrusions comprised of dense keratin. They differ from animal horns in a sense that cornu cutaneum do not have a central bone. The lesions may develop in any part of the body, with 30% of the lesions occurring in the head and neck region. Although they are considered benign lesions, they are characteristically associated with pre-malignant or malignant lesions such as squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, keratoacanthoma, basal cell carcinoma and Kaposi sarcoma. The aim of this clinical case report is to review a case of cornu cutaneum of the face associated with a papillary squamous cell carcinoma in a 72-year-old female We reviewed a case of cornu cutaneum of the left pre auricular area of the face with a 5-year history. The lesion was asymptomatic, measured 6cm in length and was resected under general anaesthetic with wide margins. The histopathological examination showed papillary a squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the lesion. As the lesions are benign and the nearest margin was 9mm, no further adjunct therapy was instituted. Although considered a benign lesion, cornu cutaneum is invariably associated with malignant lesions such as squamous cell carcinoma. Similarly, our case was associated with a papillary squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the lesion. As per current standards, the lesion was resected with wide margin
The South African Dental Association (SADA) Celebrates World Oral Health Day 2023 by promoting Health Education and Awareness
Full text linkWorld Oral Health Day (WOHD) is a global initiative that takes place annually on 20th March to raise awareness about the significance of oral health and promote good oral hygiene practices. In South Africa, WOHD was celebrated with various activities and events organized and or coordinated by the South African Dental Association (SADA), aimed at promoting oral health education and awareness among the public
Hard tissue characteristics of patients with bimaxillary protrusion
Full text linkBimaxillary protrusion (BP) is a common developmental condition amongst the South African Black population characterized by proclined incisors with resultant procumbency of the lips. The aim of this study was to perform a cephalometric radiographic analysis of the pre-treatment dental and skeletal structures in a sample of Black South Africans in order to identify the characteristic features of BP in this race group and compare them to norms. Records of 67 South African Black patients divided into 28 males and 39 females with a mean age of 17.8 years, clinically diagnosed with BP were included in the study. Cephalometric parameters were hand traced on lateral cephalometric radiographs and measurements recorded for evaluation and comparison to norm values used for this population group to determine the features that both males and females present with. Characteristic pre-treatment dental features of the sample included maxillary incisors that were proclined and protruded with resultant decreased interincisal angle, mandibular incisors which were favourably positioned. Skeletal features included retrognathic jaws (maxilla to a greater degree) resulting in a mild to moderate Class III skeletal pattern but with females exhibiting a smaller ANB angle indicating a greater tendency for a Class III skeletal pattern. The skeletal growth pattern was vertically directed with an average anterior facial height ratio. The findings indicate that most BP patients in this South African Black population presented with dentoalveolar protrusion, retrognathic jaws and a mild to moderate skeletal Class III patter
Is it ethical to immobilize patient’s jaws for weight loss? A deontological perspective
Full text linkThe demand for elective aesthetic treatment is increasing globally, in line with aggressive media portrayals of a certain standard of beauty and body image. This trend is also changing the landscape of modern dentistry and is blurring the role of dental professionals as healthcare providers versus aestheticians. This article explores the ethical dilemma that dental professionals are faced with when patients request a treatment modality such as intermaxillary fixation, to treat a medical condition or enhance aesthetics through weight loss. We evaluate whether intermaxillary fixation for weight loss falls within the dentist’s scope of practice from a deontological perspective
Impact of Land Ownership in Enhancing Agricultural Productivity in Rural Areas of Eastern Cape Province
No full textLand is a principal and calamitous factor in agricultural production and the growth of livelihood prospects in Sub-Saharan Africa. Land ownership is an indispensable resource for agrarian efficiency in the pastoral regions of South Africa. It leads to sustainable and feasible farming. However, the mainstream rural dwellers struggle to access and obtain land ownership, thus leading to low agricultural productivity. Therefore, the study seeks to investigate the effect of land tenure in enhancing agrarian efficiency in rural areas of Eastern Cape Province. The study used a cross-sectional research approach and a multi-stage sampling procedure. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 250 smallholder farmers. The analysis tools used were descriptive statistics, Logit regression, and Propensity Score Matching. Farmers were landowners, with 70% and 60% having small-sized farms, which they utilise for agricultural production. About 17% of the farmers did not utilise the land they own because of a lack of funds, water availability and farming equipment. The farmers' age, gender, years spent in school, members of farm organisations, access to extension services, household income, and hired permanent labour were socio-economic and institutional factors influencing land ownership. PSM results revealed that fully owned small-sized farms achieved high agricultural production than rented large-sized farms. The study concludes that full land ownership impacts agricultural productivity more than rented land. Hence, productivity is high. Therefore, the study recommends that the South African government and land reform policy must fast-track land redistribution among rural dwellers and farmers to enhance agricultural productivity
Training Impact Assessment of the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute Learnership Programme
No full textThe study assessed the impact of the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute Learnership Programme in terms of the knowledge, skills, employability and empowerment of graduates. A structured questionnaire captured responses from 46% of graduates of the National Certificate in Animal or Plant Production Learnership Programme in the Overberg region of the Western Cape on their perception of the impact of theoretical (in-class) and practical (on-the-job) training on their knowledge, skills and employability. A limited number of interviews with farmers who hosted the graduates provided an industry perspective on the skills and employability of the graduates. The findings revealed that graduates were satisfied with the theoretical and practical components of the Learnership Programme and agreed that the programme equipped them with skills and knowledge that could be applied in the workplace. Responses from farmers and farm managers were more ambivalent in confirming that in-class training sufficiently prepared learners for the workplace, and they proposed that skills be taught on the job during the practical component. The study concluded that the Learnership Programme contributed to learners' personal and professional development and recommended that the modules' practical and theoretical content and timing be better aligned with the industry's expectations
Delegation and Directors' Reliance on the Performance of Others – A Companies Act 2008 Analysis in the Light of International Best Practices
No full textSouth Africa has included in the Companies Act 71 of 2008 (the Act), provisions dealing with directors' delegation and reliance on the performance of others for their (the directors') own performance. In keeping with their role of managing the affairs of the company in terms of section 66(1) of the Act, directors must make decisions in the best interests of the company. Given the company board's strategic role in the company governance, as opposed to the day-to-day management done by the executive management, directors must rely on the performance of others to fulfil their role. These "others" include professional experts and company employees who can either provide guidance/specialist advice or to whom the board may delegate certain powers and authority to perform certain functions geared towards providing the board with a basis for decision-making. This article in the main interrogates the question whether South Africa has now established globally competitive legal standards of directors' delegation and reliance on the performance of others in line with company law reform objectives prior to 2008. One such objective is ensuring compatibility and harmonisation of the new company law with the best practice jurisdictions internationally as a way of promoting the global competitiveness of the South African economy. In this respect this article examines relevant laws in two foreign jurisdictions to provide a comparative aspect to the relevant South African company law aspects. First the article very briefly examines English law, which provides South Africa with its common law heritage of the duty of care, and it is argued that reliance and delegation relate to the irreducible minimum standard of care and the standard to exercise independent judgment. An examination of Australian statutory provisions on reliance and delegation is followed by a critical evaluation of reliance and delegation in section 76(4)(b)-(5) of the Companies Act 2008. It is concluded that South Africa has established globally competitive principles of reliance and delegation. Nonetheless, there are gaps in statutory reliance and delegation provisions under the Act, and lessons can be drawn from the best practices in Australian statutory and case law. Firm suggestions are made on how the gaps can be plugged and how the legal standards can be further tightened to enhance the global competitiveness of South African company law
Getting psyched up: Developing the field of Sport and Exercise Psychiatry in South Africa
Full text linkElite athletes and their entourage are exposed to intense stressors and commonly experience mental health symptoms and disorders. While there is limited literature on prevalence rates in a South African setting, initial data show that both current and retired athletes may experience these symptoms, but with low treatment rates. There is a need to improve mental health literacy and mental health care in athletes. Athletes may benefit from systematic mental health surveillance and additional screening during high-risk periods, such as injury or retirement. This commentary brings athlete mental health into focus and advocates for the inclusion of sport and exercise psychiatry into the athlete entourage and broader mental health team, in order to close the treatment gap. We provide seven recommendations for the initial way forward for sport and exercise psychiatry in South Africa
