Occupational violence against dental professionals in southern Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of workplace violence in Oral healthcare centres against Nigerian dental professionals. METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of 175 randomly selected dental professionals working in Oral healthcare centres of University Teaching Hospitals in Southern Nigeria was conducted. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 78.9%. The respondents were dentists (58.0%), dental nurses (18.1%), dental technologists (12.3%), dental therapists (8.0%) and dental record officers (3.6%). The prevalence of violence in Nigerian Oral healthcare centres was 31.9%. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of violence against dentist and dental auxiliaries. Violence was often associated with long waiting time (27.3%), cancellation of appointment (13.6%), outcome of patient's treatment (11.4%), alcohol intoxication (9.1%), psychiatric patient (6.8%,) patient's bill (4.5%) and others (27.3%). Non-physical violence in form of loud shouting (50.0%) threat (22.7%), sexual harassment (6.8%) and swearing (2.3%) constituted the majority while physical violence in form of bullying and hitting constituted the remaining 18.2%. The main perpetrators of the violence were patients (54.5%) and patient's relatives/friends (18.2%). The expressed impact of violence among the respondents include fear (18.2%), impaired job performance (15.9%), psychological problems (13.6%) and off duty (9.1%). No impact was declared by 43.2% of respondents. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of workplace violence in Oral healthcare centres against dental professionals in Southern Nigeria was significant and had a substantial effect on dental professionals' well-being thus necessitating urgent attention.

Evaluation of oral and extra-oral factors predisposing to delusional halitosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the role of patients' associated oral and extra-oral factors, as well as previous dental treatment, as possible predisposing (triggering) factors in the development delusional halitosis. METHOD: Forty-six patients diagnosed of delusional halitosis, over a consecutive period of 2 years (2003-2004) were selected for this study. Diagnosis was based on: use of standard halitosis questionnaire (to confirm the presence of psychological component) modified to obtain data on oral and extra-oral factors, as well as previous dental treatment linked by patients as cause of oral malodour; clinical assessment without objective evidence of oral malodour; absence of reliable third party to confirm patients' claim of oral malodour; and screening with sulphur monitor (RH-17 Series Halimeter, Interscan, Chatsworth, CA) that was within normal range (80-140ppb). RESULTS: All the 46 patients studied had normal halimeter measurement and no reliable third party to confirm the patients' claim of oral malodour. Twenty-four (52.2%) patients had associated possible predisposing factors. The most common associated factors were bitter taste (25.0%), oral deposits (20.8%), carious tooth (16.7%) and previous tooth extraction (16.7%). Associated factors were divided into oral, extra-oral and dental treatment. Patients' associated oral factors were significantly correlated as predisposing factors for delusional halitosis (p<0.01) CONCLUSION: This study shows significant correlation of patients' associated oral factors as the triggering event, which could predispose those individuals who may have underlying psychosomatic tendencies to developing delusional halitosis.

Frequency of delusional halitosis in a university community

Objective: This study reviewed the prevalence of delusional halitosis and analyzed the frequency of this condition within the University Community; over a period of three years. Method: Sixty-eight (68) patients with delusional halitosis were diagnosed over a period of three years (2001 to 2003); at the Dental Hospital; University of Benin; Nigeria. Results: Within the University Community; there were 14 cases (20.1) and the largest group was within 20 to 29 years; 12 cases (17.7). Conclusion: The study suggests an increased level of awareness or an increased prevalence of this condition within the same population. A fifth of the patients were within the University Community; mostly male students who suffered social embarrassment and poor academic performance