BACKGROUND:Congenitally missing or aberrant morphology of maxillary lateral incisors may cause aesthetic and functional impairment of the affected individual. There is however paucity of information on its prevalence and pattern of presentation among Nigerians. AIM:To determine the prevalence of agenesis, peg and small maxillary lateral incisors in Nigerian orthodontic patients in Lagos, Nigeria. STUDY DESIGN:A retrospective study. SETTING:Orthodontic Unit, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY:The hospital folders, dental casts and panoramic radiographs of 611 patients between December 2013 and September 2014 were reviewed. The data obtained included congenital absence, size and shape of maxillary lateral incisors. RESULTS:Out of the 611 patients studied, agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors was found in 14(2.3%) of the patients with 12(2.0%) females being significantly higher than 2(0.3%) males. The prevalence of maxillary peg laterals was 4.6% with no gender difference, while the prevalence of maxillary small lateral incisors was 3.9% also with no gender difference. A total of 20 maxillary lateral incisors were congenitally missing, while 35 peg laterals were recorded and 30 small lateral incisors were found. Unilateral agenesis of maxillary lateral incisor was more prevalent in 8(57%) patients than bilateral agenesis found in 6(43%) with significant preference for the right side 7(50%) than 1(7%) on the left. Unilateral peg maxillary lateral incisor was more prevalent in 21(75%) than bilateral peg 7(25%) with significant preference for the left side 16(57.1%). Unilateral small maxillary lateral incisor 18(75%) was more prevalent than bilateral small lateral incisor 6(25%) with preference for the left side 10(41.7%). CONCLUSION:We found that the prevalence rates for lateral incisor agenesis, peg and small lateral incisor among Nigerian orthodontic patients were 2.3%, 4.6% and 3.9% respectively.

Background: Certain dental anomalies may coexist in the same patient. Early diagnosis of one anomaly can alert the professional to the possible development of other associated anomalies in the same patient or family , making early diagnosis and timely orthodontic intervention possible. It aims to compare prevalence of hypodontia and maxillary lateral incisor microdontia in a group of children with and without T aurodontism.Methods: A retrospective study conducted at Orthodontic Unit, Lagos State University T eaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. Orthopantomographs and dental casts of 47 subjects with taurodontism of at least one mandibular first or second permanent molar as an isolated trait were selected. A control group matching the case group for sex and for age at which the records were taken was selected from the same records. These study casts were assessed for microdontia of the maxillary permanent lateral incisors and orthopantomographs were assessed for hypodontia of permanent teeth.Results: The incidence of microdontia of the maxillary permanent lateral incisor was higher (p=0.002) in patients with taurodontism (31.9%, n = 15) when compared to the control group with 6.4% (n = 3).Hypodontia was present in 1 4(29.8%) of subjects with taurodontism while 8(1 7%) of the subjects had hypodontia in the control group (p=0. 1 43).Conclusions: There was a significant association between mandibular molar taurodontism and microdontia of maxillary lateral incisors, with increased occurrence of hypodontia of permanent teeth in patients with mandibular molar taurodontism.

BACKGROUND:Hyoid bone though constitute a small proportion of the human skeleton, its importance in relation to other facial structures cannot be overemphasized. Several studies have reported on hyoid bone position in relation to various types of malocclusion, however, to our knowledge, there has been no study on the relationship between the hyoid bone and bimaxillary incisor proclination.AIM:The aim of this study was to assess the relative position of hyoid bone in individuals with and without bimaxillary incisor proclination as well as other related demographic factors.METHODOLOGY:This was a comparative retrospective study of lateral cephalometric radiographs of orthodontic patients aged 12 to 40 years from two study locations (Ile-Ife and Lagos, Nigeria). Thirty randomly selected radiographs of patients with bimaxillary incisor proclination were compared with 30 radiographs of related cases with normal incisor relationship. These radiographs were manually traced using established cephalometric landmarks and analysed using SPSS 16. Independent t-test was used to compare mean values and statistical significant level was set as p<0.05.RESULTS:Most of the linear and angular dental/skeletal measurements in relation to hyoid bone position showed no significant differences within the compared groups. Hyoid bone position (H-TV) was found to be more anteriorly located in male (p=0.02) and in bimaxillary incisor proclination (p=0.004) patients than their female and normal incisor relationship groups respectively. Similarly, there was a highly statistically significant difference in linear measurement of the lower incisor tip to hyoid bone position (H-LIT) between the adolescent and young adult groups (p=0.01).CONCLUSION:The hyoid bone position in male and bimaxillary incisor proclination subjects were more anteriorly located when compared with female and normal incisor relationship groups respectively. Similarly, the distance between the hyoid bone position and the lower incisor tip was longer in young adults than the adolescent group.

Aims: Malocclusion may not be life-threatening but it is an important public health problem, which has impact on the domains of discomfort, social and functional limitations. Orthodontic treatment may also cause functional restrictions, discomfort and pain. This study aimed to determine the impact of orthodontic treatment on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of a group of patients receiving care at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. (LASUTH). Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among patients that were registered for care at the orthodontic clinic and had commenced fixed appliance therapy for one month. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic information and to assess the orthodontic profile as well as the OHRQoL of the respondents. Results: The highest OHRQOL scores were observed in the subdomains of self-consciousness, pain, discomfort on chewing, being irritable and embarrassment. Subjects aged between 21–40 years had the highest mean impact scores (32.93±7.86). Similarly, females and tertiary educated respondents had the highest mean impact scores (29.93±7.48). Respondents with definite malocclusion had the lowest mean OHIP-14 scores (18.00) while the respondent with very severe handicapping malocclusion had the highest mean scores (26.98). Respondents that had poor oral hygiene had a higher mean OHIP-14 scores (1.93±0.54) even though the association was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment appears to be associated with a negative impact on the OHRQoL of respondents at the early stage of orthodontic treatment. This impact was highest in females, those aged between 21–40 years and those with a tertiary education. It is imperative that patients are adequately psychologically prepared before treatment commences and that care is taken to reduce iatrogenic damage to improve their likelihood of completing it.

BACKGROUND:Satisfaction is important in dental care because satisfaction with care alleviates dental anxiety, influences patients' compliance and is an important indicator of quality of care.OBJECTIVES:This study was designed to determine the factors that contribute to satisfaction with dental care among patients attending the Lagos State University (LASUTH) Dental Clinic.METHODS:Across-sectional, descriptive questionnaire-based survey was conducted among adult patients attending the LASUTH Dental Clinic. The questionnaire, a modification of the Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ), contained 19 items on a Likert-pattern scale with scores ranging from 0 to 4.RESULTS:The scores obtained for satisfaction with the dental services ranged from 19 to 75 with a mean of 55.30 +/- 11.55. The majority of respondents (305 or 87.4%) were satisfied with the services received. The items generating the highest and lowest mean satisfaction score were cleanliness/comfort of the facility and cost of services respectively. Long waiting time was the item respondents liked least about the services. There was a statistically significant relationship between the items assessing communication and respondent's gender (p = 0.001). The relationship between the overall satisfaction score and gender (p = 0.233), age category (p = 0.842) and educational status (p = 0.565) were not statistically significant.CONCLUSION:The results indicate a high level of satisfaction with services provided at the LASUTH Dental Clinic. However, there is need for improvement in communication with patients and reduction in waiting time.

BACKGROUND:A high proportion of Nigerian children with caries are left untreated resulting in complications. Paediatricians often provide primary care and maybe useful in improving oral health care.AIM:To assess the oral health knowledge on dental caries and professional experience of a sample of Nigerian paediatricians.METHODS:A self-administered questionnaire-based cross sectional survey of paediatricians attending the annual national conference of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria in January 2011 at Abuja, Nigeria was conducted. The questionnaire assessed knowledge on early childhood caries, oral health services provided and attitude to preventive dental services. Data analysis was done using EPI-info (version 3.5) statistical software.RESULTS:Of the 200 questionnaires administered, 145 were properly completed and returned (response rate of 72.5%). The respondents' gender was almost evenly distributed. Their age range was 26-77 years (mean 41.8 +/- 7.4 years). A total of 83 (57.2%) respondents reported receiving oral health education prior to this study. Over 90% of the respondents had received various dental complaints from their patients. Very few (26.2%) performed oral screening routinely although 94.2% believed that oral screening should be routinely carried out. Only 28.9% of the respondents felt adequately informed about oral health though 86.6% were willing to receive training on oral health care. Most of the respondents agreed that dental assessments and counselling should be included in routine paediatric clinical examination.CONCLUSION:Paediatricians could be useful in increasing access to oral health care for Nigerian children. Hence, oral health education should be included in the training programme of Nigerian paediatricians.

Background: Awareness of malocclusion and the need to make corrections has increasingly becomes prevalent among our population. However, very few patients have presented in the orthodontic clinics with referrals from medical practitioners, an indication that the primary caregivers may be deficient in the knowledge of orthodontic practice. Objective: To assess the knowledge of orthodontics and the awareness of the effects of malocclusion on the general well-being, among medical students at the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 85 medical students in the institution participated in the study. Data entry and analysis was done using Epi info version 3.5. Frequency counts were generated for all variables and measures of central tendency for numerical variables. Results: All participants were medical students. Majority (75.3%) were in their clinical years while 24.7% were in their preclinical years. Only 45.9% of the respondents had heard of the term “orthodontics” and only 20% correctly answered that orthodontics involves malocclusion and its management. Concerning the treatment procedures used in orthodontic clinics, 54.1% of them selected rearrangement of teeth. When asked to identify the appliances used in orthodontics, 49.4% selected dentures, 40% selected removable appliances, and 57.7% selected braces. Most of the respondents (81.2%) agreed that as medical doctors they would refer patients for orthodontic care, while 3.5% were undecided and 15.3% disagreed. Conclusion: The medical students surveyed had limited knowledge of orthodontics as a specialty and also knew very little about the impact of malocclusion on the well-being of the individual. They would, therefore, benefit from basic education in orthodontics to stimulate their interest in the specialty and improve their ability to refer patients appropriately.

Objective: This study sought to assess the knowledge and awareness of Nigerian adolescents concerning orthodontics, to determine possible factors influencing their knowledge of orthodontics as well as to find out if socioeconomic status has any effect on their knowledge and awareness. Method: This cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire based study was conducted in two secondary schools (one private and one public) in Lagos State. Result: A total of 408 students, participated in the study of which only 98 (24.0%) had ever heard the term ‘orthodontics’, and of this number only 16 could correctly explain the meaning of the term orthodontics. Majority of the respondents with correct responses attended a private school. Significantly more of the private school students correctly identified that orthodontists are involved in rearranging the teeth (p=0.006) and not involved in cleaning the teeth (p=0.008). There was a significant difference in the knowledge of the students from the public and private school concerning the impact of malocclusion on speech (p=0.002) and appearance (p=0.000). The overall orthodontic knowledge is deficient. However knowledge was better among the children from the private school compared to those from the public school. The results obtained from this study, clearly show that there is need to provide oral health education especially to improve the orthodontic knowledge of these adolescents especially about malocclusion and its consequences. It is expected that this would improve their knowledge and consequently increase the demand for and the uptake of the available orthodontic services.

Objective: Dental practitioners frequently encounter individuals who suffer from psychological pain at the dental clinics. Most dentists do not have the training or the instrument to recognise and manage psychological pain associated with dental treatment. This study was carried out to determine the level of psychological pain among dental patients visiting the dental clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Method: One hundred and twenty five patients who attended the dental clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria were invited to take part in the study. They completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, Psychache Scale (PAS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) in order to determine their levels of psychological pain and anxiety. Result: Of the total respondents, 43% were males and 57% females, mean age 30.2 years (SD=10.7, ranging from 15-80), 74.2% were married and 22.5% single. With regards to psychological pain and anxiety, 31.9% scored high in the PAS, indicating probable psychological pain while 25.8%, 19.4% and 54.8% were detected to suffer from mild, moderate and severe anxiety as detected by HARS. Conclusion: The finding from this study demonstrated that Nigerian dental patients also suffer from psychological pain and various degrees of dental anxiety. Therefore there is a need for Nigerian dental surgeons to acquire some knowledge of mental health in order to recognise these psychopathologies among their patients.

BACKGROUND:Good oral health is a fungamental component of pregnant women overall health and quality of life.OBJECTIVE:To determine the proportion of dental services utilisation and the reasons for non utilisation among women receiving antenatal care at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).METHODS:A cross-sectional study of all pregnant women receiving antenatal care in a Nigerian teaching hospital (LASUTH) between July and September 2008 was conducted. The study assessed the women's opinions on regular dental visits, dental visits during pregnancy, the frequency of utilization of oral health services before and during pregnancy and their reasons for non-attendance.RESULTS:Three hundred and forty two (342) pregnant women with age range 18 to 44 years (mean 30.37 +/- 4.5) participated in the study. Only 163 respondents (33.0%) reported ever visiting a dentist, 24 (7.0%) had done so just before or during the present pregnancy. Among the dental clinic attendees the commonest reason for attendance was pain (88 women or 53.9%). Majority (62%) of those who had never visited a dentist attributed their non-attendance to the absence of dental pain. There was a significant relationship between the respondent's age and the utilization of dental services (p < 0.001). The older women had utilised dental services more often than their younger counterparts. Educational level and ethnic grouping were not significantly related to their use of dental services.CONCLUSION:A high proportion of women receiving antenatal care at LASUTH do not visit the dentist regularly. It is important to provide women in the reproductive age with information on the benefit of regular dental care especially during pregnancy.

Objective: Studies on job involvement and mental health have mainly been carried out among Caucasian populations. Similar studies are lacking in Nigeria.This study was aimed at investigating psychological distress and job involvement among dental surgeons working in Lagos, Nigeria. Method: Thirty-eight dental surgeons working at the two teaching hospitals in Lagos State, Nigeria were invited to participate in this study. The dental surgeons completed three selfadministered questionnaires, a questionnaire on demographics, Job Involvement th Inventory (JII) and the 12 version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Results: Among the dental surgeons surveyed, 18.42% had a GHQ score of 4 and above which indicated that they were at increased likelihood of having a psychological disorder. As regards job involvement, 66.67% of the dental surgeons scored high on the JII; this shows that the dental surgeons were poorly involved emotionally in their jobs. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that dental surgeons working in Lagos State manifest with certain degrees of psychopathology and majority of them were poorly emotionally involved in their job. There is a need for dental surgeons to acquire management science training and stress management skills Soenhance service delivery.

Objective: It has been noted that oral health conditions have significant relationships with mental illnesses. In Nigeria, a large number of individuals with psychological morbidity also visit dental health practitioners regularly and few psychopathological studies have been carried out to determine the prevalence of psychopathology in dental patients in Lagos. The aim of this study was to determine the general psychological wellbeing, symptoms of anxiety and depression among patients who were attending the dental clinic for restorative and oral surgery in Lagos. Method: One hundred and three consecutive dental patients who were attending the dental clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos were recruited for this study. Patients were administered with the 12th version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Result: One hundred and three patients (50 males and 53 females) aged 20-61 years (mean age 38.3+ 10.7 years) participated in the study. The reasons for attending the dental clinic ranged from unbearable pain 81(78.6%), filling of teeth 9(8.7%), extraction 6(5.8%), check-up 4(3.9%) and fixing of braces 3(3.0%). Subjects who scored more than 3 in the GHQ were 17.5 %. On the HADS scale, 28.2 % had a high score in anxiety while 14.6 % scored high in depression. Conclusion: This study shows that a high percentage of dental patients also suffer from psychopathology especially anxiety and depression. These findings have been observed to constitute complex psycho-social problems with far reaching social and medical consequences among dental patients. The acquisition of psychotherapeutic tools by dental surgeons for assessing and managing dental patients with psychopathology will enhance the quality of practice and service delivery of dental surgeons. Keywords : psychiatry, morbidity, dental patients Nigerian Dental Journal Vol. 16 (1) 2008: pp. 22-25

Seminal fluid from 782 Nigerian males with complaints of infertility were examined with respect to infective agents and indices such as sperm count, motility and the presence of a significant number of pus cells. Various infective agents were recovered from 54 (7%) of the patients, while in 25% of the remaining patients, a significant number of pus cells was present, with associated abnormal seminal fluid indices. Our findings indicate that seminal fluids constitute an important medium for the spread of various infective agents, and that genital infections by these infective agents, sexually and non-sexually transmitted, may be responsible for a good percentage of infertility cases in Nigerian males.

An outbreak of cutaneous larva migrans in a household is described. The attention of practising physicians, health authorities and the populace is directed at the increasing prevalence of this otherwise rare disease, as well as the need for a comprehensive programme to rid the community of unwanted domesticated animals.

single dose of 1 g given intramus- cularly with probenecid orally is a more economical but equally safe and effective regime.

A study was made in five rural districts of Kwara State, Nigeria to assess the possible use of 'leopard skin' (Ls) as a rapid diagnostic technique for estimating the endemicity of African onchocerciasis. The findings revealed that there is a positive association between the percentage of subjects with skin microfilariae (mf) and the percentage with Ls. The prevalence of Ls less than 1% suggests communities with sporadic infection, 1-6% suggests hypoendemic communities and greater than 6% suggests meso- or hyperendemic communities, using mf rates of less than 10%, 10-39%, 40-69% and 70% or greater as the standard to classify sporadic, hypoendemic, mesoendemic and hyperendemic levels of the infection, respectively. The unique merits of Ls as a potential onchocercal index are presented.

A controlled clinical trial of daily short course (6-month) chemotherapy in newly diagnosed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in Nigerians was carried out. The three regimens used contained streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide in the initial phase; and isoniazid plus rifampicin or isoniazid plus rifampicin and/or pyrazinamide in the continuation phase. Sputum culture conversion was satisfactory after 2 and 6 months of treatment and no positive cultures were found one year after treatment had been completed.