A clinical evaluation of the oral and dental complications of sickle cell disease in Nigerians was carried out in 37 consecutive patients with homozygous sickle cell disease Hb-SS (Sicklers) compared to a control group of 24 persons with normal haemoglobin Hb-AA (control group) matched for age and sex. The significant abnormalities found in sicklers included intrinsic opacity of the teeth in 67.5% of sicklers compared to 28.83% in the control group; malocclusion of the teeth with over-jet and over-bite in 35% of sicklers compared to 16.66% in the control group; dental caries is present in 35.13% of sicklers which was less than its occurrence in 54% of the control group due to widespread avoidance of sweets by most local sicklers. Diastemata (gaps between the teeth) was present in approximately equal frequency in sicklers (27%) and control group (25%). In view of the aesthetic and medical implications of these abnormalities, it is recommended that sicklers should receive regular dental check-up with a view to ameliorating or preventing these complications by prophylactic measures including the use of orthodontic appliances such as braces, etc. The above findings are discussed in relation to the other complications of sickler cell disease in other organs of the body.

There is an interdependent relationship between nutrition and health of oral tissues. The well-being of the oral tissues, the quantity and quality of saliva and the dimension of taste depend on the intake of nutrients. Oral health determines the type of food consumed and ultimately the nutritional level. A review of literature was to outline this interdependent relationship.

Aim: The study was to determine the effect of maternal periodontal status on birth weight. Materials and Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State. Recruited into the study were 300 pregnant women aged between 20 and 34 years who were randomly placed into two groups. Test group received oral prophylaxis upon enrolment and control group received prophylaxis after deliveries. The gestational age for enrolment was from 12 weeks to 36 weeks. The groups were balanced for other risk factors, while smoking and alcohol was assessed using the questionnaire. The participants were all primigravid women. Data were collected by means of interviewer-administered questionnaire, clinical dental examination and participants′ hospital records. Results: Community Periodontal Index (CPI) assessment revealed that 44.4% recorded code 2; 22% had code 3; while 16.6% had code 4. The overall prevalence of low birth and normal weight in this study were 6.3% and 93.8% respectively. The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) among the test and control group were 0.0% and 12.5% respectively. The highest prevalence of low birth weight delivery (27.3%) among the control group was among the participants with CPI score 4 which was statistically significant ( P <0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed that the control group had low birth weight deliveries, which was significantly associated with poor periodontal status. Therefore, there is the need for oral prophylaxis among pregnant women preferably before second trimester.

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Background:The objective was to determine the relationship between self-reported gingival bleeding, oral health perception, practices and concerns.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional survey among undergraduates of University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria was conducted between April and May, 2011 using a self-administered 21-item structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences and P<0.05 was considered significant.Results:Out of the 400 questionnaires that were distributed, 338 were returned filled giving a retrieval rate of 84.5%. About three-quarters (71.3%) of the respondents were younger than 22 years. Males constituted 65.1% while the remaining 34.9% were females. The prevalence of self-reported gingival bleeding among respondents in this study was 12.7%. Individuals with gingival bleeding were significantly more likely to rate their dental and gingival health as fair/poor, use strong brushing stroke during tooth brushing and report worsening condition of teeth despite daily tooth brushing, express worry about the gingival color and less likely to be satisfied about the appearance of their teeth and to have received professional instruction on tooth brushing.Conclusion:Data from this survey revealed an established relationship between gingival bleeding, perceived dental and gingival health, tooth brushing force, professional instruction on tooth brushing, perception of the condition of teeth in relation to daily tooth brushing, worry about the color of gingiva, and satisfaction with the appearance of the teeth.