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Stomatologija 2013; 15 (4): 135-140 150 KB

Toothache among dental patients attending a Nigerian secondary healthcare setting

Clement Chinedu Azodo, Oritseweyemi Ololo

Summary

Introduction. Pain intensity and oral health practices among patients with toothache, a major dental public health problem is necessary information for the formulation of preventive and interventional oral health policies
Objective. To assess the pain intensity and oral health practices among dental patients attending a Nigerian secondary healthcare setting with toothache.

Materials and Methods. This study was a prospective study of adult patients attending the dental clinic of Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Interviewer-administered questionnaire which elicited information include demography, pain intensity using visual analogue, tooth brushing behaviour and previous dental treatment was the tool of data collection.

Results. The majority of the respondents were males and young adults. More than half (60.5%) of the respondents reported pain of moderate to severe intensity and 42.6% have engaged in self medication for the toothache. More than one-third (34.2%) had experienced the pain for ≥ four weeks and the major factor that prompted the decision to visit dentist were unbearable nature of the pain and sleep disturbances. Almost half (46.2%) of the respondents had previously visited the dentist and the common received treatment was tooth extraction. A total of 57.9% of the respondents indulge in twice-daily tooth cleaning.

Conclusion. Data from this study revealed that respondents with toothache had history of dental visit and visited dental clinic when the pain is unbearable and disturbed sleep. There is a need for proper patient education at any encounter with dentist.

Key words: oral health, pain, patient.

Received: 05 02 2013

Accepted for publishing: 23 12 2013

¹Department of Periodontics, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

²Dental Department, Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Clement Chinedu Azodo¹ – BDS, MSc Physio., MPH, FMCDS

Oritseweyemi Ololo² – BDS

Address correspondence to Dr. C. C. Azodo, Department of Periodontics, Prof. Ejide Dental Complex, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P. M. B 1111 Ugbowo, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria 300001.

E-mail address: clementazodo@yahoo.com



	Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal

December, 2013, Vol. 15, No. 4 CONTENTS SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES Expression of growth factors and growth factor receptors in human cleft-affected tissue Benita Krivicka, Mara Pilmane, Ilze Akota 115-118 Radiographic assessment of findings in the maxillary sinus using cone-beam computed tomography Ilze Dobele, Ligija Kise, Peteris Apse, Gints Kragis, Andris Bigestans 119-122 Influence of restorative techniques on fracture load of endodontically treated premolars Ana Amélia Bianchi e Silva, Paula Cristine Ghiggi, Eduardo Gonçalves Mota, Gilberto Antonio Borges, Luiz Henrique Burnett Júnior, Ana Maria Spohr 123-128 Apoptosis and MMP-2, TIMP-2 expression in cleft lip and palate Liene Smane, Mara Pilmane, Ilze Akota 129-134 Toothache among dental patients attending a Nigerian secondary healthcare setting Clement Chinedu Azodo, Oritseweyemi Ololo 135-140 © 2014 Stomatologija		Stomatologija 2013; 15 (4): 135-140 150 KB Toothache among dental patients attending a Nigerian secondary healthcare setting Clement Chinedu Azodo, Oritseweyemi Ololo Summary Introduction. Pain intensity and oral health practices among patients with toothache, a major dental public health problem is necessary information for the formulation of preventive and interventional oral health policies Objective. To assess the pain intensity and oral health practices among dental patients attending a Nigerian secondary healthcare setting with toothache. Materials and Methods. This study was a prospective study of adult patients attending the dental clinic of Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Interviewer-administered questionnaire which elicited information include demography, pain intensity using visual analogue, tooth brushing behaviour and previous dental treatment was the tool of data collection. Results. The majority of the respondents were males and young adults. More than half (60.5%) of the respondents reported pain of moderate to severe intensity and 42.6% have engaged in self medication for the toothache. More than one-third (34.2%) had experienced the pain for ≥ four weeks and the major factor that prompted the decision to visit dentist were unbearable nature of the pain and sleep disturbances. Almost half (46.2%) of the respondents had previously visited the dentist and the common received treatment was tooth extraction. A total of 57.9% of the respondents indulge in twice-daily tooth cleaning. Conclusion. Data from this study revealed that respondents with toothache had history of dental visit and visited dental clinic when the pain is unbearable and disturbed sleep. There is a need for proper patient education at any encounter with dentist. Key words: oral health, pain, patient. Received: 05 02 2013 Accepted for publishing: 23 12 2013 ¹Department of Periodontics, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria ²Dental Department, Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital, Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria Clement Chinedu Azodo¹ – BDS, MSc Physio., MPH, FMCDS Oritseweyemi Ololo² – BDS Address correspondence to Dr. C. C. Azodo, Department of Periodontics, Prof. Ejide Dental Complex, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P. M. B 1111 Ugbowo, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria 300001. E-mail address: clementazodo@yahoo.com