Perception of Orthodontic Treatment Need: Opinion Comparisons of Patients, Parents and Orthodontists
O.D. Otuyemi K.A. Kolawole Orthodontic Unit, Department of Child Dental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria
ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the aesthetic perceptions of 100 consecutive patients and their
parents of orthodontic treatment need and to compare their observations with that of
orthodontists.
Methods: The sample consisted of 100 consecutive orthodontic patients seen for the first
time at a Nigerian Hospital. Of the total sample, 49 were males and 51 were females,
with ages ranging from 7 to 21 years (mean + SD; 12.81 + 3.08). The self-assessment by
patients and the recording by parents and orthodontists were carried out using the
Aesthetic (AC) and Dental Health (DHC) Components of Index of Orthodontic
Treatment Need (IOTN) as applicable.
Results: The results showed a strong association in the perception of dental appearance
by patients and the views of other dental assessors. These correlations were highly
statistically significant (P<0.001) with the highest correlation between the parents and the
orthodontists (r =0.791) while the least was between the patients and the orthodontists (r
= 0.653). The study also found that about one-half of the patients were in the "definite
need for orthodontic treatment".
Conclusions: There is a strong relationship in the perceptions of dental appearance by
patients, parents and orthodontists. This index could therefore be used as an effective tool
in communication and achieving realistic treatment decisions.
Keywords: Orthodontic perception, Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN),
patients, parents, orthodontists.
Correspondence: Prof. O.D. Otuyemi Department of Child Dental Health, College of Health Sciences, O.A.U., Ile-Ife, Nigeria. E-mail:
Tel: +234-8037191734
Aglossia-adactylia sequence and Moebius syndrome involvement
Ali Al Kaissi, Hatem Safi, Maher Ben Ghachem*, Lotfi Hendaoui**
Farid Ben Chehida*** *Service d’Orthopedie Infantile-Hopital d’Enfants
de Tunis,**Service de Radiologie-Hopital Monge Slim-Tunis, *** Centre de
Radiologie Ibn Zohr- Tunis
ABSTRACT
Adactylia and limb deficiencies are major congenital malformations can be resulted from
a long list of etiological factors, in our department the vast majority of these disorders are
genetically determined, and only a small fraction of it proved to be sporadic.
We report on a-9-months old male child with Aglossia- Adactylia sequence associated
with Moebius syndrome involvement, which in our patient is manifesting itself by left
facial nerve and bilateral abducens nerve palsies, total absent of the tongue and absent
digits of hands and feet respectively.
Correspondence: Dr. Ali Al Kaissi Consultant & Clinical Researcher Service d’orthopede infantile Hospital d’Enfants de Tunis Tel: +216 98 342 793 E-mail:
Torus Palatinus and Torus Mandibularis in a Nigerian Population
J.O. Agbaje, M.O.Arowojolu1, B. Kolude, J.O. Lawoyin
Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, University College
Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria and 1Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry,
University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria
ABSTRACT Objective: The objectives of this study was to determine the prevalence, size, clinical
characteristics, and location of torus palatinus (TP) and torus mandibularis (TM) in
relation to age, sex and social stratification in a Nigerian population.
Methods: One thousand three hundred and ninety two subjects were examined for the
presence of both tori at the Out patient clinic of the Department of Oral Medicine and
Pathology, School of Dentistry University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria.
Results: Out of the 1,392 subjects examined, 52 (3.7%) had either Torus Palatinus (TP),
Torus Mandibularis (TM) or both. The prevalence of TP and TM in the subjects were
1.8% and 2.5%, respectively. TP was significantly more common in females than in
males (1.2% versus 0.6%). TP were frequently found in medium and small sizes and
majority were solitary type. The prevalence of TM was higher in females than in males
(1.9% versus 0.6%). TM occurred most commonly in small size, bilateral multiple forms,
and was often located at the canine to premolar area. Females have both tori occurring
concurrently more than male (Ratio 2 to 1). Most subjects with tori fall into class II social
stratification, 51.9% compare with 21.1% and 23.0% as seen in Classes I and III
respectively, 4.0% of subjects were unclassified.
Conclusions: The prevalence of both tori in this Nigerian population was comparable to the Black Americans and other African populations.
Key words:Torus mandibularis; torus palatinus; prevalence; social stratification
Management of Dental Waste by Practitioners in Nairobi, Kenya
Osamong LA, Gathece LW, Kisumbi BK1, Mutave RJ1 Department of Periodontology, Community and Preventive Dentistry and Department of
conservative and prosthetic dentistry. Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi .P.O Box
19676 00202 Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT Objective: Dental wastes are material that has been utilized in dental clinics, which are no longer
wanted for use and therefore discarded. Improper disposal of these dental wastes can cause harm
to the dentist, the people in immediate vicinity of the dentist, waste handlers and general public
and the environment through production of toxins or as by products of the destruction process.
This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practice on management of dental
wastes among dental practitioners in Nairobi, Kenya.
Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study of 70 dental practitioners practicing in Nairobi,
Kenya.
Results: A total of 50 dental practitioners were included in the study. Majority had graduated
between 1991-1995. 47.5% had only a bachelors degree, 25% had masters 7.5% had PhD and
12.5% had postgraduate diploma. Forty five percent of the respondents indicated they have
attended training on management of dental waste while 89.5% had been attending continuous
dental education. Forty-two percent of the respondents worked in public institution while the rest
were in private practice. Only 48.7% of the practitioners were aware of the existence of waste
management guidelines. Only 64% felt it was important to follow the set guidelines, 5% thought it
was tedious, 2% said they were not practical and the rest were not interested in the guidelines.
Eighty-two percent of the respondents said that amalgam was toxic if disposed improperly with
only 10.7% indicating pollution to be a consequence of improper disposal of amalgam. Seventyseven
percent of the respondents did not know the hazardous effects of improper disposal of
amalgam. Only half of the respondents stored waste amalgam under water, 25% said they did not
know how to dispose amalgam. All (100%) knew about occurrence of cross-infection with
improper disposal of bloody waste but only 56.1% said they incinerated bloody body waste while
24.4% disposed off bloody waste with general waste 35.7% of the respondents indicated that
sharps were hazardous if improperly disposed. Only 52.4% incinerated their pathological wasted.
On expired drugs, 7.3% disposed them off as part of general wastes.
Conclusion: There is need for continuous professional development on waste management among
dentists in Kenya.
Volume 2 Issues 1&2
Home | Membership of IADR | Our Mission | Editorial Board | Volume 1 Issue 1 | Volume 2 Issues 1&2 | Volume 3 Issues 1 & 2 | The Web Links | Download | About Us | 