Yewande Isabella Adeyemo

Background: To address the discomfort associated with conventional drilling for caries removal in children, a minimally invasive approach such as chemo-mechanical caries removal was developed. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of, and patient behavior associated with chemo-mechanical caries removal versus conventional drilling in children aged 6–12 years. Methods: A split-mouth randomized clinical trial was conducted involving 66 molar teeth. The effectiveness of Papacarie Duo Gel and conventional drilling methods was assessed using colony-forming unit (CFU) counts before and after each treatment. Cavity preparation time and intraoperative patient behavior using the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale were also evaluated. Results: Both methods resulted in a significant reduction in bacterial counts post-treatment. However, conventional drilling showed a greater percentage reduction in bacterial load (82.9 ± 13.9; t = −4.42, p < 0.001) compared to the chemo-mechanical method (68.6 ± 16.6). The mean caries removal time was 692.4 ± 245.9 sec with the chemo-mechanical method, compared to 266.9 ± 101.6 sec with conventional drilling. In terms of behavior, 57.6% of the children exhibited a positive response during chemo-mechanical treatment whereas negative behavior was more commonly observed with conventional drilling. Conclusion: While conventional drilling remains the better-established and time-efficient method of caries removal, the chemo-mechanical technique serves as a valuable alternative for managing children, reducing anxiety and promoting greater comfort and cooperation during treatment. Trial registration: PanAfrican Clinical Trial Registry PACTR202310877678533

Objective Job satisfaction may influence interprofessional relationships among healthcare workers. This study assessed the job satisfaction of dental technologists and its effect on their relationship with dentists. Methods An online questionnaire survey of Nigerian dental technologists was conducted using an adapted Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 23). Chi-square tests were used to compare means, and logistic regression tested associations. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results A total of 131 technologists participated (male: female ratio = 2.5:1). Seventy-seven (58.8%) were married, 68 (51.9%) had worked for 5 years or less, and 64 (48.9%) worked in teaching hospitals. Sixty-three (48.1%) had moderate levels of job satisfaction, while 77 (60.3%) were satisfied with their relationship with dentists. Intrinsic satisfaction was associated with higher education (χ² = 11.48, p = 0.02) and employment in tertiary centers (χ² = 6.84, p = 0.03); extrinsic satisfaction was associated with being married (χ² = 10.44, p = 0.01), and overall satisfaction was higher among females (χ² = 8.41, p = 0.02). In-service development increased the odds of extrinsic satisfaction by 3.1 (1.2–8.0); p = 0.02. Respect for dentists' decisions was associated with interprofessional relationships (χ² = 52.97, p = 0.001), and overall satisfaction strongly correlated with the relationship with the dentist (χ² = 42.79, p < 0.001). Conclusion Job satisfaction was related to good interprofessional relationships. Higher satisfaction levels were associated with being female and working in teaching hospitals. Good interprofessional relationships also improved satisfaction.

Introduction: Oligodontia represents the developmental absence of six or more teeth, posing significant challenges for masticatory function, speech, and psychosocial well‐being. While extensively documented in developed countries, limited reports exist from resource‐constrained settings in Africa. This study presents two pediatric cases of oligodontia managed with available resources and analyzes their clinical presentations against current literature. This case report was prepared following the CARE guidelines to ensure methodological rigor and completeness. Cases and Interventions: Case 1, a 10‐year‐old female with a history of missing anterior teeth from birth, with no associated systemic abnormalities and no contributory family history, but with deranged alkaline phosphatase. To address masticatory function, speech, and esthetic problems, removable partial dentures were fabricated for both jaws. Case 2, a 10‐year‐old female with a family history of congenitally missing teeth but no other features of syndromic oligodontia, with an associated crown fracture involving the enamel, dentine, and pulp of the maxillary right central incisor, peg‐shaped maxillary right lateral incisor, and retained mandibular central incisors. Systemic features of mild acanthosis nigricans, nail abnormalities, and hypohidrosis were observed with deranged alkaline phosphatase. To restore speech and masticatory function, root canal treatment and postretained crown restoration of the maxillary right central incisor and composite resin restoration for the peg‐shaped maxillary right lateral incisors and retained lower central incisor teeth were done. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of oligodontia significantly improve functional outcomes and quality of life. Resource limitations necessitated adaptive treatment approaches while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Orofacial neoplasms in children and young adults may differ significantly from those observed in adults. Our aim was to describe the epidemiological characteristics of histologically diagnosed orofacial neoplasms among children and young adults in Nigeria. This was a multicenter cross-sectional study across geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Annual reports of clinical information and surgical biopsies submitted at the Oral Pathology Laboratory, clinic day registries, surgical day case registries and operative theatre registries were retrieved from January 2008 to March 2024. The relevant demographic data were obtained for each patient. The study subjects were categorized by age into children, adolescents and young adults. Tissue involvement was classified as soft tissue involvement, bony involvement or both soft tissue and bony involvement. The site and behaviour of the lesions were subdivided according to the ICD-10 codes. Statistical analysis was performed via the R programming language. A total of 1889 cases were observed during the period under review, with a mean age of 15 years. Cases were more common in females (52%) and in young adults (47%). Most cases were benign neoplasms (85%), and bony affectation (54%) was slightly predominant. Odontogenic tumours (38%) and fibro-osseous lesions (20%) were the most common category of lesions observed, whereas salivary gland tumours (2.2%) and neoplasms of epithelial origin (2.5%) were the least common. Neoplasms in children involved mostly soft tissues, whereas those in adolescents and young adults had a preference for bone (p < 0.001). In all age groups, benign lesions were mostly observed in the mouth and pharynx. For malignant lesions, in children, the bones of the skull and face were mostly involved, whereas in adolescents, the mandible was the predominant site (p < 0.001). In children, mesenchymal neoplasms were the most prevalent category of lesions, whereas in both adolescents and young adults, odontogenic tumours were more common. The proportion of malignant neoplasms in males was significantly greater than that in females (p < 0.001). This study revealed that although most biopsied orofacial lesions were more often benign, the proportion of malignant neoplasms in this population was greater than that previously reported.

This study aimed to assess the proportion of adolescents and young people (AYP) in Nigeria who changed their frequency of e-cigarette use and tobacco smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic; and factors associated with the increase, decrease or no change in e-cigarette use and tobacco smoking (including night smoking). This study was a cross-sectional study of AYP recruited from all geopolitical zones in the country. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine if respondents’ health HIV and COVID-19 status and anxiety levels were associated with changes in e-cigarette use and tobacco smoking frequency. There were 568 (59.5%) e-cigarette users, of which 188 (33.1%) increased and 70 (12.3%) decreased e-cigarette use and 389 (68.5%) increased night e-cigarette use. There were 787 (82.4%) current tobacco smokers, of which 305 (38.8%) increased and 102 (13.0%) decreased tobacco smoking and 534 (67.9%) increased night tobacco smoking. Having a medical condition was associated with lower odds of increased e-cigarette use (AOR:0.649; p = 0.031). High anxiety (AOR:0.437; p = 0.027) and having a medical condition (AOR:0.554; p = 0.044) were associated with lower odds of decreased e-cigarette use. Having COVID-19 symptoms (AOR:2.108; p < 0.001) and moderate anxiety (AOR:2.138; p = 0.006) were associated with higher odds of increased night e-cigarette use. We found complex relationships between having a medical condition, experiencing anxiety, changes in tobacco smoking and e-cigarette use among AYP in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic that need to be studied further.

COVID-19 infection is associated with oral lesions which may be exacerbated by tobacco smoking or e-cigarette use. This study assessed the oral lesions associated with the use of e-cigarettes, tobacco smoking, and COVID-19 among adolescents and young people in Nigeria. A national survey recruited 11–23-year-old participants from the 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Data were collected using Survey Monkey^®. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted. Statistical significance was set at p-value less than 0.05. There were 2870 participants, of which 386 (13.4%) were tobacco smokers, 167 (5.8%) e-cigarette users, and 401 (14.0%) were both e-cigarette and tobacco users; and 344 (12.0%) had ever tested positive to COVID-19. Adolescents and young people who smoked tobacco had more than twice the odds of reporting gingival inflammation, oral ulcers, dry mouth, and changes in taste than those who did not smoke. Those who used e-cigarettes had 1.5 times higher odds of reporting oral lesions. Respondents who had COVID-19 infection had higher odds of reporting gingival inflammation and lower odds of reporting dry mouth than those who did not have COVID-19 infection. These findings were significant, and may help clinicians to screen for tobacco use and COVID-19 among adolescents and young people in Nigeria.

Background: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world is unprecedented, posing greater threats to vulnerable healthcare systems, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of dental healthcare providers in Nigeria about the disease and evaluate their responses to the preventive measures necessitated by COVID-19.Methods: This was an online self-administered questionnaire-based study conducted among dentists practicing in Nigeria. A message containing the link to the survey was sent widely via social medial platforms and electronic mails to dentists practicing in Nigeria. The data collection was done between the 2^ndof June and 3rd of July 2020.Results: A total of 314 responses was recorded. Fever was the most specified generalized symptom (97.5%), while the use of masks (100%), hand hygiene (99.7%), social distancing (97.7%) and surface cleaning (99.4%) were the most commonly employed general preventive methods. The main identified risk of transmission in the clinic was aerosol generating procedures (98.7%).Conclusion: The general knowledge of dental personnel in our study population appears to be adequate on the common clinical features of COVID-19 but less adequate regarding the less common features. The COVID-19 pandemic has also modified some aspects of dental service delivery but more needs to be done in this regard. Preventive measures against the transmission of COVID-19 in dental practice settings include proper utilization of teledentistry, clinical triage, preprocedural 1% hydrogen peroxide oral rinses, and the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which should always be encouraged.