Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Profile, Parity and Dental Caries Among a Group of Nursing Mothers in South East, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk indicators of caries among nursing mothers in a tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 408 nursing mothers aged 15 to 52 years who brought their children for immunization in a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. Data on socio-demographic profile, parity, dental visits were collected. The presence of dental caries was recorded using the World Health Organization criteria. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was 11.0%, and the mean DMFT was 0.18. There was a statistically significant association between level of education (p<0.001), past dental visit (p<0.001) and the occurrence of dental caries. Caries was more prevalent in the mandibular teeth than the maxillary teeth. The left mandibular first and second permanent molars had the highest occurrence of dental caries. Missing (M) component of the DMFT index was highest and the care index was low. The significant predictors of caries among nursing mothers were fair oral hygiene and having below tertiary education. Conclusion: The prevalence of caries and the care index were both low in this study population. The significant predictors of dental caries were a tertiary level of education and poor oral hygiene. Incorporating oral health education during postnatal care can help reduce dental caries' occurrence and complications among nursing mothers in the study population.

Appointment Failure among Dental Patients Attending a Government Dental Centre in Enugu, Nigeria

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and socio demographic factors associated with failed dental appointments among dental patients in a government dental clinic. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 419 participants who were non-first clinic attendees at a government dental clinic in Enugu, Nigeria. Data was collected on socio-demographic profile, mode of transportation and reasons for failed appointment, using a pretested structured questionnaire. Bi-variate analysis was conducted to test the association between study participants' age, sex, occupation, mode of transportation and failed dental appointment using Chi-square test and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The age of the study participants ranged from 5 years to 90 years. More females (57.8%) than males (42.2%) participated in the study. The prevalence of failed appointment was 27.7%. The major reasons for failed appointments were "being busy with other activities" (12.4%) and "far distance" (6.9%). Only 0.7% of the study participants received telephone calls as reminder. There was no statistically significant association between age (p=0.40), sex (p=0.12), level of education (p=0.40), occupation (p=0.52), mode of transportation (p=0.71) and failed dental appointment. Conclusion: The prevalence of failed dental appointment was high in this population. Being busy and far distance were the commonest reasons for failed appointments. Very few study participants were reminded of their appointment.