ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICES OF DENTAL HOUSE-OFFICERS AND RESIDENTS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper assesses the oral self-care practices and preventive dental attendance of dentists
within a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among House Officers and Dental Residents at the Dental Clinic of a Teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Data collected included age, sex, number of years post-qualification, tooth brushing frequency and technique, use of interdental floss and pattern of professional oral prophylaxis. Less than half (45.5%) of the dentists brushed their teeth twice daily. Most (98. 9%) of the participants used a medium textured toothbrush. while 55.7% used the roll tooth brushing technique. Nearly 60% of the dentists used interdental floss, while only 14.8% used the floss at least once daily. The use of dental floss was significantly associated with female gender (p=I). 004) and work duration of one year and less by dentists in the hospital (p=0.033). Only 38.6% of dentists had done scaling and polishing within the preceding 6 months to the study, while 23.9% claimed to attend the dental clinic for scaling and polishing at 6 monthly intervals. Younger dentists were more likely to have received scaling and polishing than the older ones. This study has highlighted the inadequate observance of some oral hygiene practices sucli as regular use of interdental floss and six monthly scaling and polishing particularly, among this group of dentists. As oral health care providers and role models, dentists need to be more conscientious in their oral self-care while ensuring proper preventive and dental care for their patients