Nigerian Journal of Dental Sciences

Comparative study of the effects of Suture-less and Multiple Sutures Techniques on Complications following Third Molar Surgery in a secondary health facility in Benin City, Nigeria

Dave IKPEFAN — 2025-01-02

Objective: To compare the effects of suture-less and multiple sutures techniques on complications following third molar surgery.

Methods: The study was a prospective randomized clinical study involving 112 patients (44 males and 68 females). The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups (suture-less n = 56; multiple suture n = 56). In the experimental group (suture-less, group1), the flaps were replaced without suturing. The control group (multiple sutures, group 2) was selected using the same criteria and treated under the same surgical protocol, except that the flaps were opposed using multiple sutures. Trismus, swelling and pain were evaluated at days 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 postoperatively in both groups. Independent t-test was used to compare post-operative outcomes (trismus, swelling and pain) of both techniques. All statistical analyses were set at 5% level of significance.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.2 + 12.3 years in group1 and 30.5 ± 7.6 years in group 2. The ratio of males to females was 2:3. Over 90% of the participants live in Benin City. Reduction in mouth opening (trismus) was consistently less among the patients that received suture-less technique (group 1) than among those that received multiple suture technique (group 2) across all postoperative evaluation days (1,2,3,5 & 7). This difference was however only statistically significant (p<0.05) in postoperative day 1. At evaluation on the first, second and third postoperative days, facial swelling, when measured from tragus to pogonium (TP) and when measured from tragus to commissure (TC), were found to be significantly less (p<0.05) in the group in which no suturing was done (group 1) compared to the other group that received multiple sutures. Pain reduction was found to be significantly more (p<0.05) in the group that received suture-less technique (group 1) compared to the group that received multiple sutures technique (group 2) on postoperative day 1. There was no significant difference between both groups at postoperative days 2, 3, 5 and 7.

Conclusion: This study has shown that suture-less technique can be used in third molar surgery, including those performed via standard incisions. The suture-less technique is a simple and viable option for minimizing the postoperative morbidity associated with inflammatory sequelae after third molar surgery.

Knowledge of Emergency Drugs and Competence Level of Usage Among Dental Healthcare Providers at a Tertiary Health Facility in the South-South of Nigeria

Harrison A. OMOKHUA — 2025-01-02

Background: Medical emergencies occur infrequently in dental clinics but can occur when they are least expected. Effective and successful management of medical emergencies in the dental clinic includes adequate education of the dentist and other oral healthcare providers, emergency drug kits in the dental office, proper education of the chair side assistant, and a close-by referral healthcare center. This study aimed to assess dentists’ knowledge of emergency drugs and their competence levels in using such drugs during medical emergencies in the dental office.

Methods: A self-administered close-ended questionnaire consisting of sections A-E was distributed among the study participants. Section A: Sociodemographic characteristics of respondents, Section B: Awareness of Essential Drugs Recommended in the Emergency Drug Kit. The data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. P set at ≤ 0.05

Results: A total of 67 respondents participated in the study. Of the 67 respondents, approximately half (50.7%) were aged 21 – 30 years, and 35 (52.2%) were male. Cumulatively, 52 (77.6%) respondents had a good awareness of the emergency kit-recommended essential drugs, while 15 (22.4%) did not. The occupation of respondents and their awareness of essential drugs in the emergency kit was statistically significant. Cumulatively, 46 (68.7%) of the 67 respondents had good knowledge of medications used in various emergency conditions. Generally, more than half of the respondents could administer all the emergency medications.

Conclusion: The present study has exposed the deficiencies in the undergraduate training of dental students in medical emergencies and management. While the study reported good knowledge and awareness of emergency drug kits, the overall practice and competency level of dental health providers is not satisfactory.

Immediate Management of Traumatic Tooth Avulsion among Secondary School Teachers in Port Harcourt

Esther Ngozika OJULE — 2025-04-02

Background: Traumatic tooth avulsion (TTA) frequently occurs in schools, where teachers are often called upon to provide immediate care. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of Secondary School teachers in Obio-Akpor local government area on the immediate management of TTA, and to assess the relationship between sociodemographic variables and participants level of knowledge about the immediate management of TTA.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among secondary school teachers. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic and other relevant information. Participant’s level of knowledge on the immediate management of avulsed teeth was scored from 0 to 6, and categorized as poor, fair and good. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25. Chi square test was used to determine the association between participant’s level of knowledge and sociodemographic variables. p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 200 teachers correctly filled the questionnaire, most of whom were female (64.0%). Almost two-thirds (60.5%), of the study participants had prior knowledge about tooth avulsion. Most of the participants did not know how to correctly preserve or handle an avulsed tooth reimplantation. Overall, only 16.5% of the study participants had good knowledge about traumatic tooth avulsion and its immediate management. There was statistically significant association between respondents’ knowledge and the number of years as a teacher.

Conclusion: The level of knowledge of secondary school teachers on the immediate management of traumatic tooth avulsion was inadequate. Those with ≤ 3 years teaching experience had relatively better knowledge on the immediate management of tooth avulsion.

Perception of Early Career Doctors Towards Residency Program in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Ochuko EBRORHIE — 2025-04-02

Background: The residency program was established to train doctors to become specialists who offer specialized care to the population. There has been a steady decline in the number of applicants to the residency program in the last decade. This study assessed the perception of early career doctors towards the residency training program in Nigeria.

Methods: Using a structured questionnaire, the study was conducted among house officers at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Results: One hundred and twenty-six accurately filled questionnaires by participants were analyzed. There were 54.8% female and 45.2% male. The majority of the participants were not interested in the residency program and about a third stated that the program was inadequate and could be better. Poor work facility (33%) was the most common factor responsible for emigration, followed by poor remuneration (27.8%).

Conclusion: The residency program awards residents with specialist degrees. However, there has been a decline in the number of applications. Poor working environment and poor pay were cited as some of the reasons for emigration. Professional health bodies/governments need to urgently look into the factors responsible for the poor perception of early career doctors towards the residency program.