Elizabeth Obhioneh Oziegbe

Oral hygiene measures and the periodontal status of school children.

BACKGROUND Tooth brushing and other mechanical cleaning procedures are considered the most reliable methods of effective plaque removal, which is essential for prevention of periodontal diseases. OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between oral hygiene practices, socioeconomic status and gingival health in a group of Nigerian children. METHODS  Our study population consisted of 242 randomly selected school children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Participants completed a questionnaire on oral hygiene measures, their gingival health was assessed using oral hygiene index (OHI), plaque index (PI) and index of gingival inflammation (GI). RESULTS Toothbrushing once daily was the most common practice (52.1%). Toothbrush with a fluoride-containing toothpaste was the most common tooth cleaning aid, while the up and down brushing technique was predominantly used. There was no statistically significant gender difference in toothbrushing frequency; however, significant gender differences were observed in PI and OHI scores (P<0.05). Gingivitis was absent in 28.9% of the children,, while 50.8% had mild, 13.6% moderate and 6.6% severe gingivitis. There was a weak but significant negative correlation between oral hygiene frequency and GI (P<0.05). Socioeconomic status had no relationship with oral hygiene frequency, however it had low but significant correlation with OHI and GI (P<0.05). A logistic regression analysis of the predictors on gingivitis showed that male gender and medium textured toothbrush had significant association with gingival health. CONCLUSIONS Gingival health was influenced by gender, socioeconomic status, oral hygiene frequency and toothbrush texture. Motivation to apply instructions given on oral health care and regular reinforcement are essential.

Relationship between socio-demographic and anthropometric variables and number of erupted primary teeth in suburban Nigerian children

The socio-demographic and anthropometric variables could influence the number of teeth present in the childs mouth. To determine the effect of anthropometric and socio-demographic variables on the number of erupted primary teeth, a cross-sectional study was performed involving 1013 children aged between 4 and 36 months who attended the immunization clinics in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA. The analyses included frequencies, cross-tabulations, chi squared test and t-test. The number of erupted teeth was modelled as the dependent variable in a multiple regression (Binomial) model, and the socio-demographic (age, gender and socio-economic status) and anthropometric variables, such as weight and height at presentation, as predictor variables. Statistical significance was inferred at P < 0.05. The age and height at presentation had significant association with the number of erupted teeth in this study population (P < 0.001). Also children from high socio-economic class in relation to low socio-economic class had significant larger number of erupted teeth in this study population (P < 0.001). The age and height of the child at presentation were significantly related to the number of erupted teeth. Also children from high socio-economic class had significant lager number of erupted teeth compared with children from low socio-economic class.

Brief communication: Emergence chronology of permanent teeth in Nigerian children

This study measured the mean age, duration, and sequence of the emergence of permanent dentition in Nigerian children and compared the findings with other population groups. The cross-sectional study involved 1,078 Nigerian children, aged 4-16 years old, from selected primary and secondary schools in the Ife Central local government area in Ile-Ife, Osun State. In general, compared to boys, girls had an earlier mean age of emergence of all the permanent teeth. Children from high socioeconomic class had an earlier mean age of emergence for the maxillary incisors (6.43 and 7.58 years) and mandibular incisors (5.28 and 6.44 years) compared to children from middle and low socioeconomic classes, although socioeconomic effects were more mixed for premolars and molars. Compared to their counterparts in the USA, Australia, Belgium, and Iran, Nigerian children showed an earlier mean age of emergence of all the permanent teeth studied except for Pakistani boys, who had an earlier mean age of emergence of the maxillary premolars and second molar. Poorer economic status has been associated with delayed dental development; however, when compared to other populations, the Nigerian children in this study have earlier mean emergence ages than children from wealthier countries such as the USA and Australia.

Digit Sucking Habit and Association with Dental Caries and Oral Hygiene Status of Children Aged 6 Months to 12 Years Resident in Semi-Urban Nigeria.

Objectives Non-nutritive sucking (NNS) is a common behavior in childhood. The association between digit sucking, dental caries and oral health has been studied with inconclusive results. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of, and the association between digit sucking, caries and oral hygiene status of children age six months to 12 years, resident in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State. Data were collected through a household survey using a multi-stage sampling procedure from children between six months and 12 years. Details of each child’s socio-demographic characteristics, digit sucking habits, caries status and oral health status were collected. The association between digit sucking, caries status and oral hygiene status was determined using Chi square and Logistic regression. Results The mean age of the 992 study participants was 5.8 ± (3.2) years. The prevalence of digit sucking, caries and poor oral hygiene were 7.2%, 10.5% and 2.4% respectively. The mean dmft score was 0.22 ± (0.80), mean DMFT score was 0.04 ± (0.30) while mean Oral Hygiene Index score was 1.27 ± (0.73). Digit sucking increased the odds of having caries (OR: 1.28; CI: 0.58–2.81) but decreased the odds of having poor oral hygiene (OR: 0.58; CI: 0.34–1.01) insignificantly. Conclusions Digit sucking was not a significant predictor of caries and oral hygiene status, although the odds of having caries increased while the odds of having poor oral hygiene decreased with digit sucking.

Impact of dental caries and its treatment on the quality of life of 12‐ to 15‐year‐old adolescents in Benin, Nigeria

AIM To assess the impact of caries and its treatment on quality of life (QoL) in 12- to 15-year-old children in Benin, Nigeria. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study involving 1790 children. Clinical examinations were conducted using the WHO criteria for diagnosis and coding of caries. The Decayed Missing Filled Teeth score of each child was calculated. The child Oral Impact on Daily Performance questionnaire was used to assess the QoL of children with caries pre- and post-treatment. Associations between age, sex, and socio-economic status and caries were analysed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The prevalence of caries in the study population was 21.9%. Approximately 57% of children with caries reported negative impact on their QoL pre-treatment. Eating (47.6%) was the most affected domain. The mean pre-treatment QoL score was 8.40 ± 10.34. Four weeks post-treatment, only 1.12% of participants reported negative impact of caries treatment on their QoL. The mean post-treatment QoL score was 0.22 ± 0.91 There was a significant difference between pre- and post-treatment QoL scores (P = 0.0001) with significant changes in all the eight domains studied. Age, sex, and socio-economic status had no significant impact on QoL pre- and post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS Caries had a significant impact on the QoL of adolescents. Its treatment resulted in marked improvement in QoL.

Breastfeeding, timing and number of erupted teeth in first twelve months of life in Nigerian children

AIM: This was to assess the possible impact of breastfeeding on the timing of eruption of the primary central incisors and the number of teeth erupted within the first 12 months of life. METHODS: 1,016 children aged 3 to 12 months were recruited from the immunisation and out patients clinics, Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria. Mothers of the children were asked about the form of breastfeeding they had practised for their child. An intra-oral examination on each child was conducted to assess number of erupted teeth. The impact of the form of breastfeeding (exclusive or non exclusive) on the timing of eruption of the primary central incisors and the number of teeth that had erupted within the first 12 months was assessed. RESULT: There was no significant difference in the eruption timing of the primary central incisors in children who were exclusively breastfed when compared with children who were not exclusively breastfed, neither did the form of breastfeeding impact on the number of teeth erupted at 12 months. CONCLUSION: The form of breast-feeding had no impact on the timing of eruption of the primary central incisors and the number of teeth erupted within the first 12 months of life in this Nigerian child population.

Digit Sucking, Age, Sex, and Socioeconomic Status as Determinants of Oral Hygiene Status and Gingival Health of Children in Suburban Nigeria

BACKGROUND This study determines prevalence of digit sucking and gingivitis, and association among age, sex, socioeconomic status, presence of digit-sucking habits, oral hygiene status (OHS), and gingivitis among a group of Nigerian children. METHODS Data of 992 children aged 1 to 12 years recruited through a household survey conducted in Osun State, Nigeria were analyzed. Information on age, sex, socioeconomic status, and history of digit-sucking habits were collected. Children were assessed for OHS and severity of gingivitis using the simplified oral hygiene index and the gingival index, respectively. Predictors of presence of gingivitis and poor oral hygiene were determined using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS One (0.2%) and 454 (93.0%) children aged 1 to 5 years had poor oral hygiene and mild gingivitis, respectively. Twenty-two (4.4%) and 361 (72.9%) children aged 6 to 12 years had poor oral hygiene and mild gingivitis, respectively. The odds of having poor oral hygiene (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20 to 0.35; P <0.001) and gingivitis (AOR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.31; P <0.001) was significantly reduced for children aged 1 to 5 years. The odds of having gingivitis was increased in children with low socioeconomic status (AOR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.32 to 3.31; P = 0.002). There was no significant relationship among sex, digit sucking, OHS, and presence of gingivitis. CONCLUSIONS A digit-sucking habit did not increase chances of having poor oral hygiene and gingivitis. Increasing age and low socioeconomic status were factors that significantly increased chances of having poor oral hygiene and gingivitis.

Association between family structure and oral health of children with mixed dentition in suburban Nigeria

Context: Family structures can affect the oral health of the child. However, little is known about the impact of the family structure on oral health of children in Africa. Aims: To determine the association between family structure, twice daily toothbrushing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, caries, and oral hygiene status of 5–12-year-old children resident in semi-urban Nigeria. Settings and Design: Secondary analysis of the data of 601 children recruited through a household survey conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: The association between dependent variables (presence of caries, good oral hygiene, use of fluoridated toothpaste, and twice daily toothbrushing) and the family structure (parental structure, number of siblings, and birth rank) was determined. Statistical Analysis Used: Simple and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the association. The regression models were adjusted for age and gender. Results: Children who were not primogenitor had significantly reduced odds of using fluoridated toothpaste (AOR: 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85–0.97; P = 0.01) when compared with children who were primogenitors or only children. Furthermore, having 0–2 siblings significantly reduced the odds of having caries (AOR: 0.46; CI: 0.28–0.78; P < 0.001) when compared with children who had three or more siblings. Children who used fluoridated toothpaste had significantly increased odds of having good oral hygiene (AOR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.18–2.28; P < 0.001). Conclusions: For this study population, the number of siblings and the birth rank increased the chances of having caries and use of fluoridated toothpaste, respectively.

Breastfeeding pattern and eruption of primary teeth in Nigerian children

Abstract Various aspects of human growth and development have been reported to be adversely affected by malnutrition in early life. Opinion is still divided regarding the role of nutritional status in dental development. The study was carried out to determine the effect of breastfeeding pattern on the eruption times of primary teeth. The study population consisted of 1,013 clinically healthy babies, infants and preschool children between the ages 4–36 months who visited the immunization clinics at the Community Health Centres in Ife Central and Ife East Local Government Areas. Primary teeth erupted earlier in children who were exclusively breastfed when compared to those who were partially breastfed ( P P

Integrated oral, mental and sexual health management for adolescents: a call for professional collaboration.

Abstract Background: Globally, young people account for 15.5% of the total global disability-adjusted life-years burden for all age groups. They face mental health, nutritional problems, accidental and intentional injuries, sexual and reproductive health problems, and substance abuse. These health challenges have effects on their oral health. This paper discusses the oral health problems adolescents face and suggests approaches for providing integrated oral and general health care for adolescents. Discussion: Oral health issues linked with adolescent health concerns include: malocclusion and esthetic concerns linked with mental health status; oral and maxillofacial injuries linked with accidental and intentional injuries; oral manifestations of sexually transmitted infections; oral leukoplakia and oral cancers linked with alcohol, tobacco and psychoactive substance abuse; and oral manifestations of anemia resulting from nutritional problems. Training oral health care providers on adolescent health and care could promote prompt diagnosis, management and prevention of complications associated with major health challenges affecting adolescents. Conclusion: Adolescent oral health care needs focused attention: as a possible route for early diagnosis and management of general health problems and for promoting adolescent oral health care. Oral health care should be integrated into adolescent friendly services and oral health care providers should learn how to handle adolescents’ health needs.