African Journal of Dentistry

African Journal of Dentistry ISSN 2756-3421 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An Assessment of Dental Health Practices and Caries Experiences Among Adolescents in Hhohho, Swaziland

S. L. Mndzebele* and O. N. Makhubela-Nkondo

Faculty of Health Care Sciences (School of Public Health), University of Limpopo (MEDUNSA) Campus, P. O. Medunsa, 0204, South Africa.

Accepted 4 November, 2024

Increased figures in tooth extractions among the youth population in the Northern Hhohho region of Swaziland prompted the researchers to investigate these development, with the purpose of assessing and describing dental healthcare practices and caries experiences among school going teenagers. The study engaged a randomized-survey design through a self-administered questionnaire. The population sample comprised 562 secondary school-going pupils (13 to 18 years). On self-reported caries experiences, about 43.3% reported to have had one or more decayed-teeth; 21.9% were found to be consuming foods comprising refined-carbohydrates daily; and about 30.3% often go to bed chewing sweets. About 98.8% brush their teeth at least once a day, and about 77.8% knew other unconventional tooth brushing methods. Logistic regression results suggest that pupils who were within 10 km of a dental clinic were 30% less likely to be found with decayed-teeth (eB=0.719; p-value=0.082). Surprisingly, pupils who knew the cause of caries were almost twice likely to be found with decayed-teeth (eB=1.866; p-value=0.003). Those who took soft-drinks for their daily refreshments increased their chances of being found with decayed-teeth by three-folds (eB=3.33; p-value=0.008). Pupils who knew the difference between tooth-decay and gum disease were twice likely to be found with decayed-teeth (eB=1.918; p-value=0.003). It can therefore be concluded that whilst caries affect teenagers uniformly (whether boys/girls); most of the known caries causal factors do not seem to influence the probability of having caries in this region.

Key words: Dental caries experiences, oral hygiene, dietary habits, tooth-brushing, teenagers.
 

African Journal of Dentistry ISSN 2756-3421 Vol. 12 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of Periodontal Therapy on Lipid Management in Patients with Cardiovascular Conditions

Carlos Augusto Nassar¹*, Karine Figueiredo da Costa², Suy Ellen Pramiu², Adriana Chassot Bresolin³ and Patrícia Oehlmeyer Nassar¹

¹School of Dentistry, State University of Western Paraná, UNIOESTE, Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil.
²Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil.
³School of Medicine, State University of Western Paraná, UNIOESTE, Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil.

Accepted 14 May, 2024

Abstract

Several studies have sought to explain the possible causal relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to find evidence that periodontal treatment is associated with changes in lipid levels in patients with cardiovascular disease after a 12-month follow-up period. Eighty patients were selected and divided into 4 groups of 20 patients each, as follows: 2 groups of patients with cardiovascular disease and conventional periodontal treatment or full-mouth scaling and root planing; and 2 groups of patients without systemic involvement and conventional periodontal treatment or full-mouth scaling and root planing. The patients were evaluated by laboratory examinations and clinically evaluated for 12 months. Improvement in the clinical and lipid parameters in patients with cardiovascular disease was observed. The best results were obtained by mechanical control and full-mouth scaling and root planing. It may be concluded that periodontal treatment contributes to control the lipid levels, particularly in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Key words: Periodontal disease, cardiovascular disease, total cholesterol, triglycerides.
 

African Journal of Dentistry ISSN 2756-3421 Vol. 12 (7), pp. 001-005, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of the Relevance of Behavioral Science and Management Proficiencies in Preparing Nigerian Dental Students for Private Practice

G. I. Isiekwe¹*, O. O. Sofola², O. O. Sanu¹ and F. A. Oredugba¹

¹Department of Child Dental Health, Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos,
Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
²Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos,
Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.

Accepted 18 April, 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the undergraduate dental curriculum of the University of Lagos Dental School, adequately prepares the dental graduate with the behavioral science and business/management (practice management) skills required for private dental practice. A review of the current undergraduate dental curriculum of the University of Lagos Dental School was carried out to determine if there were any behavioral science and business/management course(s) designed to provide these skills. The curriculum was also reviewed to determine if there was any provision for clinical exposure to private dental clinics, for the dental students, prior to graduation. A review of the curriculum showed that there were behavioral science courses in medical sociology, medical psychology, clinical psychology and communication and interpersonal skills. However, there were no courses in the business/management skills required for private dental practice. There was also no provision for clinical exposure/attachments to private dental clinics. In comparison, the curriculum for penultimate year medical students in the same institution included a two-week clinical attachment/posting to private hospitals and medical facilities. The findings from this study show that the undergraduate dental curriculum of the University of Lagos Dental School adequately prepares the dental graduate with the behavioral science skills required for private dental practice. However, the curriculum is currently deficient in the business and management skills and knowledge required by dentists for private dental practice. Thus, there is an urgent need for the inclusion of practice management in the undergraduate dental curriculum of the University of Lagos and all other dental schools in the country.

Key words: Practice management, undergraduate dental curriculum, private dental practice.
 

African Journal of Dentistry ISSN 2756-3421 Vol. 12 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Does chewing gum manage orthodontic pain better than sucking sweets?

Y Govender¹, N Behardien², AMP Harris³

¹Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Auckland Dental Facility, 5D Browns Rd, Auckland, New Zealand 2102.
²Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow, Cape Town, South Africa.
³Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow, Cape Town, South Africa.

Received 02 May, 2024; Accepted 22 June, 2024 and Published 25 June, 2024

Abstract

Introduction: The chewing of gum has been indicated for the control of orthodontic pain due to its proposed mechanical effect on the periodontal tissue. The literature on this is however scant. The aim of this study was to compare the effect on pain of conventional sugar-free chewing gum with sucking sugar-free sweets in patients with fixed appliances. Method: A double-blind, randomised clinical trial, with 60 participants randomly assigned to two intervention groups, the sugar-free chewing gum group and the sugar‑free sweets group was conducted. Informed consent was obtained and participants with fixed orthodontic appliances were asked to chew gum or to suck sweets at specific time intervals and record their pain scores using a visual analogue scale. Repeated measures ANOVA was used in the analysis. Results: Sixty questionnaires were returned. The mean pain score decreased with time in both groups. Results showed significantly lower mean pain scores in the chewing‑gum group at 48 hours (p<0.001). Conclusion: Both groups indicated a reduction in pain over time. However, at 48 hours, chewing gum was associated with significantly reduced pain compared with the sweet sucking. A more extensive study on the effects of chewing and orthodontic pain could augment the literature in this field. 

Keywords: Orthodontic pain, placebo, medicaments, chewing gum, sucking sweets.

African Journal of Dentistry ISSN 2756-3421 Vol. 12 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Role of Salivary Composition in Caries Development: A Study of Adolescents

F. Ahmadi-Motamayel¹, M. T. Goodarzi², S. S. Hendi³, H. Abdolsamadi1 and N. Rafieian³*

¹Dental Research Center, Dental School, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
²Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
³Dental School, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan Iran.

Accepted 11 January, 2024

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to compare salivary flow rate, pH, calcium, buffering capacity and total protein between caries free and caries active adolescence. Un-stimulated whole saliva was collected from one hundred healthy adolescences with age range of 15 to 17 years who were divided to four groups: caries free female, caries free male, caries active female, caries free male. Then, flow rate of saliva was determined and samples were analyzed for pH, calcium, buffering capacity and total protein. The date was analyzed using student’s t-test. The results showed that when all of these parameters were compared among caries free and caries active groups, buffering capacity of saliva decreased significantly in caries active group. Comparison of all of these parameters between girls and boys revealed the level of total protein and buffering capacity were significantly higher and pH was significantly lower in boys as compared to girls. Level of flow rate and composition of saliva were different between caries free and caries active adolescence. Moreover, buffering capacity decreased in caries active group. Notably difference in quantity and quality of saliva can contribute as an important causal factor in explaining sex difference in caries rate.

Key words: Dental caries, saliva, pH, buffers, calcium, salivary proteins.

African Journal of Dentistry ISSN 2756-3421 Vol. 12 (5), pp. 001-004, May, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

A Clinical Analysis of a Well-differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma Case

Nutan Tyagi¹* and Rishi Tyagi²

¹IDST Dental College, Delhi-Meerut Road (NH-58), Kadrabad, Modinagar, Dist. Ghaziabad, India.

²Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, University of Delhi, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Dilshad Garden , Delhi-95, India.

Accepted 24 October, 2023

Abstract

In India, cancer of the oral cavity is one of the five leading sites of cancer in either gender. More than 90% of the oral cancers occur in patients over the age of 45, with a male predilection. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common neoplasm of the oral cavity. The current case highlights the caution that needs to be exercised in clinical assessment and differential diagnosis of SCC from another chronic ulcer with similar features (tubercular ulcer). The treatment modalities of the two vary, thus making correct judgement and diagnosis essential.

Key words: Squamous cell carcinoma, tubercular ulcer, differential diagnosis.