Untreated malocclusions and oral health status of an urban Population in South-South Nigeria.

Authors

  • Elfleda Angelina AIKINS Department of Child Dental Health, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.]
  • Modupeoluwa Omotunde SOROYE Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.]

Abstract

Objective: Lack of awareness and an accompanying
lack of knowledge results in a lack of utilization of dental
services and a consequent increased burden of oral
disease. This study assessed untreated malocclusions
and the oral health status of an urban population.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study design was
employed. Data was collected from consenting
participants using an interviewer administered
questionnaire after which an intraoral examination was
carried out on each participant. Data was analysed using
the SPSS version 20 and the level of significance set at
p<0.05.
Results: There were a total of 403 participants in this
study. About a tenth of the participants indulged in oral
habits 41 (10.2%). Untreated malocclusions in the form
of tooth displacements 35 (8.7%), rotations 32 (7.9%),
crossbite 9 (2.2%) and scissors bite 1 (0.3%) were seen in
the study population. Majority, 383 (95%) used a
toothbrush and flouridated toothpaste to clean their
teeth and 264 (65.5%) brushed once a day. Most of the
participants 281 (69.7%) had good oral hygiene.
Conclusion: Several untreated malocclusions
comprising tooth rotations, displacements, crossbite,
scissors bite and anterior open bite were seen in our
study population. Their utilization of dental services was
poor but oral health practices were good which
translated to good oral hygiene and low DMFT.

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Published

2021-07-05