Prevalence of traumatic dental injury to the anterior teeth in children attending paramilitary and nonparamilitary schools in Nigeria.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in the anterior teeth among children attending paramilitary and nonparamilitary schools in Benin City, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A multistage sampling technique was used to select children aged 8-12 years with a previous history of trauma to the orofacial region. A self-administered questionnaire was then applied, and each participant was examined clinically. Data collected included demographic characteristics, etiology and place of injury, affected teeth, type of dental injury, lip competence, and overjet values. Analysis of data was done with the SPSS version 21.0 software. Pearson's Chi-squared test was used to determine the association between variables and odds ratio. Statistical significance was determined at P < 0.05. Results: A total number of 1352 children (mean age: 9.89 ± 1.4 years) were examined and 154 (11.4%) had a previous history of TDI. The prevalence among respondents in the paramilitary schools was 84 (6.2%) and those in nonparamilitary schools 70 (5.2%). Falls and play was the most common cause of TDI and was higher in children in paramilitary schools. Ellis Class I was the most prevalent type of injury in 91 (59.1%), tooth number 21 was the most traumatized, and the school environment was the most common place. Of the total number of respondents with TDI, the relationship between etiology with age, lip competence, and overjet was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of TDI among the study participants was 11.4% and more in the paramilitary schools than the nonparamilitary.

RésuméObjectif: L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence des traumatismes dentaires traumatiques (TDI) dans les dents antérieures chez les enfants. fréquentant des écoles paramilitaires et non paramilitaires à Benin City, au Nigeria. Matériels et méthodes: Une technique d'échantillonnage en plusieurs étapes a été utilisée. utilisé pour sélectionner les enfants âgés de 8 à 12 ans ayant des antécédents de traumatisme dans la région orofaciale. Un questionnaire auto-administré a ensuite été appliqué, et chaque participant a été examiné cliniquement. Les données collectées comprenaient les caractéristiques démographiques, l'étiologie et le lieu de la blessure, dents affectées, type de lésion dentaire, compétence labiale et valeurs overjet. L'analyse des données a été réalisée avec le logiciel SPSS version 21.0. Le test du chi carré de Pearson a été utilisé pour déterminer l'association entre variables et odds ratio. La signification statistique a été déterminée à p <0,05. Résultats: Un nombre total de 1352 enfants (âge moyen: 9,89 ± 1,4 ans) ont été examinés et 154 (11,4%) avaient des antécédents de TDI. La prévalence parmi les répondants des écoles paramilitaires était de 84 (6,2%) et ceux des écoles non paramilitaires de 70 (5,2%). Des chutes et le jeu était la cause la plus fréquente de TDI et était plus élevé chez les enfants dans les écoles paramilitaires. Ellis Classe I était le type le plus répandu de blessures chez 91 personnes (59,1%), la dent numéro 21 était la plus traumatisée et le milieu scolaire le plus fréquent. Du nombre total des répondants avec TDI, la relation entre l'étiologie, l'âge, la compétence labiale et l'overjet était statistiquement significative (p <0,05). Conclusion: La prévalence du TDI chez les participants à l'étude était de 11,4% et plus dans les écoles paramilitaires que dans les écoles non paramilitaires.

Experience and knowledge of child abuse and neglect: A survey among a group of resident doctors in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a significant public health problem. Dentists are in good position to identify and report cases of CAN. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the experience and knowledge of CAN among a group of Nigerian dental residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among dentists attending a postgraduate update course. Data were collected to assess the knowledge of respondents on the forms of CAN, indicators and risk factors. Respondents' professional experiences were also assessed as well as actions taken and possible barriers to reporting suspected cases. RESULTS: Data were collected from 179 respondents, with a mean age of 33.1 ± 5.2 years. The respondents demonstrated good knowledge of the forms of child abuse, with an average score of 95.2%. The risk factors for CAN were correctly identified by 153 (85.5%) respondents as children with physical/mental disabilities, 151 (84.4%) as products of unwanted pregnancies, 128 (71.5%) as children from polygamous families and 122 (68.2%) as children from low socioeconomic families. Physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect were majorly identified as bruises behind the ears, 162 (90.5%); oral warts, 114 (63.7%); poor self-esteem, 158 (88.3%) and untreated rampant caries, 137 (76.5%), respectively. Seventy-four (46.5%) of the respondents did not evaluate children for CAN and only 12 (14.1%) of those who observed suspected cases of CAN reported to the social service. Lack of knowledge of referral procedures and concerns about confidentiality were the major barriers to reporting cases of CAN. CONCLUSION: The dentists had good theoretical knowledge of the indicators, risk factors and signs of CAN but lagged in clinical detection and reporting of such suspected cases. There is a need for continuing education and advancement of the postgraduate dental curriculum to improve the educational experiences with regard to CAN.