282 research outputs found
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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Oral Hygiene Practices and Willingness to utilize Dental Services among Patient Attendees of a Primary Oral Health Care Clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria
No full textObjective: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on oral hygiene practices and willingness to utilize dental care services among patients who attended a Primary Oral Health Care Clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 105 dental patients who had attended the Primary Oral Health Care Centre, Idikan, Ibadan, between July 2019 and March 2020. Data were obtained on the effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on oral hygiene practices and willingness to utilise dental care services during the lockdown was obtained using semistructured questions. The questionnaire was administered through mobile telephone interviews by trained dentists. Data was analysed with SPSS version 25.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 38.2 (±19.4) years, and 60 (57.1%) were females. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, 19 (18.1%) of the participants reported a change in their oral hygiene habits, out of which 15 (14.3%) increased the frequency and duration of tooth cleaning while it reduced for 4 (3.8%) participants. Twenty-eight (26.7%) of the participantswould not have considered visiting the dental clinic for routine check-ups during the period. Fear of contracting COVID-19 infection was the main reason for the unwillingness to utilize dental services for: routine check-up (15.7%) and oral prophylaxis (8.6%). There was no significant association between sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and change inoral health practices during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (p > 0.005).
Conclusion: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was minimal on the oral hygiene practices of the study participants, with many having no change in their oral hygiene practices. The change in oral hygiene practices was in terms of frequency and duration of teeth cleaning. While some had a positive change, few others had negative changes.
 
Dental Phobia and Its Impact on the Quality of Life of a Ghanaian Adult Population
No full textAim: Dental phobia is a significant cause of avoidance of dental treatment, which could result in poor oral health. This study sought to determine the prevalence of dental phobia among a Ghanaian adult population and how this affects their quality of life. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 329 patients attending the University of Ghana Dental School Clinic. Dental phobia was assessed with the Kleinknecht\u27s Dental Fear Survey (DFS),and Quality of Life measured with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). Data were analyzed using Stata 14 software and MS Excel. Descriptive statistics and measures of association between DFS and OHIP were done.Results: About 46% of the study population had some level of dental phobia, with 8% having a high level of fear. More males (54.2%) were found to have experienced dental phobia than females (45.8%). Common causes of dental phobia were injection (54.7%), x-ray (24.9%), the dental clinic environment (13.4%), and the sound and feel of the handpiece (0.9%).Conclusion: Dental phobia was common among the dental clinic attendants. While further research is required in the subject area, clinicians and stakeholders should not under-estimate its prevalence and potential effects.
 
The Fear of COVID-19 Infection and Its Correlates with Clinical Practice among Nigerian Dentists
No full textBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic was not without its consequences like fear and effect on the economy and health care systems, with dentists being at a high risk of contracting the infection.
Objectives: The study aimed to assess the fear and risk of contracting the disease among Nigerian dentists. It also assessed a self-reported economic impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 disease on dental practices in Nigeria.
Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among Nigerian dentists. The survey link was forwarded on social media platforms of Nigerian dentists. The questionnaire inquired about fear/anxiety, self-reported effect on clinic income, adequacy of knowledge on COVID-19, and use of N95 facemask, among others. The statistical level was set at 5%.
Results: A total of 314 dentists (184 males and 130 females) within the age range of 22 to 63 years responded. The majority (214; 68.2%), were confident about their knowledge of the COVID-19 disease. Almost all the participants (298; 94.9%) entertained fears of contracting the disease through practice and transmission to family members, while 54.1% strongly agreed that theN95 mask should be worn routinely. However, all (100.0%) reported an economic impact of the pandemic on dental practice.
Conclusion: The fear of contracting COVID-19 infection was high among dentists. Therefore, adequate and regular use of protective and preventive measures such as N95 face mask should be a priority among dentists. Attention should be paid to constant medical evaluation to those at risk.
 
Knowledge and utilization patterns of information technology among healthcare personnel in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos
No full textObjective: The field of healthcare practice requires the use of computers for processing information, decision-making, record keeping and teaching. To ensure success of information and communication technology, adequate application of Information Technology is required by health care professionals. Current information on knowledge and utilization pattern of information technology among healthcare personnel in developing countries is scant. The objective is to assess the knowledge of Information technology among healthcare personnel in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba as well as the factors affecting its use.
Method: Self-structured pretested questionnaires that probed into the knowledge and utilization of Information Technology were administered to a stratified randomly selected group of 300 male and female dentists, medical doctors, radiographers, nurses and pharmacists. Descriptive statistics on their knowledge and utilization patterns were calculated.
Result: A total of 239 participants (79.6%) responded, with a mean age of 25.8±5.4 years. Majority (67.5%) respondents reportedly had received some form of formal computer training, while the remaining 76 (32.5%) had no training. Most of the respondents, 167 (69.9%) respondents demonstrated good knowledge of Information Technology, while 33 (13.8%) showed a fair knowledge. Only 39 (16.3%) respondents demonstrated poor knowledge of Information Technology. Most of the respondents (58.2%) never participated in video conferencing.
Conclusion: Despite the fact that the respondents had generally good knowledge and utilization habits of Information Technology, most of the respondents had never participated in video conferencing, which is an important innovation in the modern day management of the patients. The medical personnel would benefit from the provision of adequate infrastructure, utilizing Information Technology.
 
Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Lip in a Nigerian: A Case Report
No full textA case of a 75 year old community health worker and part time farmer that presented at the Burns and Plastic Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos Nigeria was reported. The lesion commenced as a nodular mass on the upper lip which later progressed into an ulcer. The patient was managed by surgical excision and reconstruction.
 
Perceived Sources of Stress and Coping Strategies among Clinical Dental Students in Two Nigerian Universities
No full textBackground: Dentistry is perceived as a highly stressful profession and the dental school is often where the stress begins. Contemporary dental curricula require students to attain diverse proficiencies such as acquisition of theoretical knowledge, clinical competencies, skills acquisition and best practices which add up to stress. The objectives were to identify the sources of perceived stress, and the coping strategies adopted by clinical dental students in two Nigerian Universities.
Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study involving all clinical students in the two oldest dental schools in Nigeria. A validated self administered, structured questionnaire comprising of the modified version of dental environmental stress survey(DES), the perceived stress scale and brief coping scale was used in collecting data from the participants.
Results: The potential sources of stress which were most frequently reported were the academic factors with volume of learning rated highest (84.2%) followed by demanding curriculum (72.6%) and frequent formative and summative assessment (51.7%). Inadequate infrastructures and erratic power supply were considered the most frequent(70.7%, 67.6%) sources of stress among the physical and environmental factors. Workload was also a major concern for stress with requirement to perform specified types and number of procedures rating the highest(76.9%) followed by time limits(69.8%). More (47.8%) females pray/ meditate while 29.6% cry as a means of relieving stress while the males play games which are all statistically significant (p= 0.003, 0.001 and 0.000 respectively).
Conclusion: The most frequently reported source of stress are the academic factors with volume of learning rated the highest followed by demanding curriculum and frequent examinations. The strategies adopted to cope with stress across the gender were praying and crying among females and playing games in males.
 
Unusual Foreign Body in the Maxillary Antrum: A case report
No full textA case of25 year old nomad presented with an arrow in his maxillary antrum following a rustling attack. Impaction of an arrow in the maxillary antrum is not a common occurrence. The arrow was removed through Caldwell-Luc approach under conscious sedation. The wound healed satisfactorily and the postoperative period was uneventful.
 
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Education and Management
No full textObjective: The coronavirus disease is a highly infectious disease of global concern. It poses a severe threat to the lives of patients, hospital staff, students, and their trainers. The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on dental education and management is diverse and deep. This study is designed to highlight the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on dental education and management.Materials and Methods: The Medline and google databases were searched for relevant publications by combining the following mesh terms, COVID-19, dental education, impact and residency. Relevant information was extracted from all the selected papers. Personal experience as a trainer, clinician and administrator was included in the report. Results: Because of the pandemic, patients flow nosedived, routine clinical procedures, academic activities, students/residents\u27 rotation were suspended, and some of the students/ residents had their examinations or time of graduation postponed. The use of virtual platform became the norm for learning and meeting. A new and broader PPE protocol was prescribed when carrying out dental procedures. Residents and students must ensure physical distancing, even as it relates to the hanging of clothes in the changing room. Blended and self-directed learning was brought into the fore of medical education.Conclusion: Government and professional bodies should make conscious efforts to cushion the adverse effects of corona