The Practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Nigeria: Some Challenges and Way-forward
Journal Title: IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) - Year 2018, Vol 17, Issue 4
Abstract
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a specialty of dentistry with a scope ranging from the treatment of orofacial congenital anomalies such as cleft lip and palate, through orofacial infections, maxillofacial traumatology, temporomandibular disorders, salivary gland diseases, orofacial pain to neoplasms involving the orofacial region. Being an emerging specialty in Nigeria, it is faced with several challenges. This study was aimed at determining the demographics of the practitioners in Nigeria and to highlight some of the challenges facing the practice. The study design is cross-sectional. Less than 50% of the practitioners had 76-100% of their surgeries done as scheduled. Thirty-five per cent of the surgeons had fifty percent or less of their surgeries performed on schedule. Main reasons reported by surgeons for performance rate less than optimal were patients’ factors, facilities and anaesthetic factors, reported by 80.0%, 57.5% and 57.5% respectively by the surgeons. Reasons that were reported for patients missing surgery appointments were poverty (77.5%), ignorance/preference for alternative medicine (72.5%) and fear (70.0%). Seventy per cent of the surgeons reported an absence of dedicated Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical ward. Poverty, facility, ignorance and fear were identified as the major challenges. The authors therefore conclude that the government and the practitioners should live up to their responsibilities by raising the standards of living, providing necessary facilities and making available necessary healthcare information to the population
Authors and Affiliations
M. O. Etetafia, E. D. Odai
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP370833
- DOI 10.9790/0853-1704091317.
- Views 61
- Downloads 0
Glomerulonéphrite extramembraneuse révélant un liposarcome rétropéritonéal
La glomérulonéphrite extramembraneuse est l’une des causes les plus fréquentes de syndrome néphrotique chez l’adulte. Elle peut se rencontrer au cours du lupus, après prise médicamenteuse, compliquer un cancer, ou encore...
“A Clinical Study of Abdominal Wound Dehiscence and Its Management”
Wound dehiscence is one among the most dreaded complications faced by the surgeons. By definition, dehiscence is the separation of fascial layers early in the postoperative course.Wound dehiscence is described as partial...
Immediate Effect of Cold and Neutral Spinal Spray on Autonomic Functions In Healthy Volunteers – A Comparative Study
Background and Objectives : Hydro therapy is a system of Naturopathic medicine where treatment is given using various forms of water. Spinal spray is one of the treatment used in hydro therapy for the management of vario...
Right Ileac Fossa Mass: A Case Series
Introduction: A mass in the right iliac fossa is one of the commonest problems encountered in surgical practice, requiring skill to diagnose. A clinical diagnosis is often difficult due to other conditions like obesity a...
Comparison of Computed Tomography Urography and Sonographically Tailored Intravenous Urography in Patients of Urolithiasis
Urolithiasis is a common problem in the population occurring across all age groups. Among multiple diagnostic procedures available for diagnosing this condition, CT urography has been considered as the gold standard proc...