Browsing by Author "Armah, R.N."
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Item Prevalence of Dental Malocclusion and Occlusal Traits among 12- 16-Year-Old Children in Shaiosudoku District(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Armah, R.N.Background Dental malocclusion is the third most dominant dental condition behind dental caries and periodontitis. Unlike other disease conditions, dental malocclusion is a deviation in the arrangement of the teeth from the norm. It is not a life-threatening condition but can result in difficulty in mastication, speech and maintenance of good oral hygiene. Data on the prevalence of dental malocclusion based on acceptable classification of the condition remain scarce. Objectives The study therefore sought to determine the prevalence of dental malocclusion and occlusal traits among 12-16-year-old school children in the Shai-Osudoku District in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. This study also sought to determine the distribution of clinically relevant occlusal traits and the prevalence of occlusal anomalies in an orthodontically relevant period of dental development among the study population. Methods: The study was conducted using a descriptive school-based cross-sectional study design that involved interviewing and clinical examination of 340 school children between the ages of 12-16 years from randomly selected schools in the Shai-Osudoku district of Ghana. During the clinical examination, clinically relevant occlusal traits were recorded together with class of molar relationship based on Angle’s classification of malocclusion using a modified WHO/FDI dentofacial anomalies assessment form. Data were recorded in excel and imported in STATA version 15 software for analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was conducted which included Fisher’s exact tests to determine the factors influencing the development of the various classes of dental malocclusion. Results: Results showed the mean age of 13.51.3, majority (93.2%) of the respondents had various forms of occlusal anomalies. Prevalence of Class I, Class II and Class III malocclusion were found to be 69.2%, 5.6% and 19.1% respectively. Posterior crossbite, crowding and discrepancies in the midline were detected in 21%, 26% and 24.4% of the respondents respectively. Tooth malrotation (χ2 31.221, p<0.001), increased overjet (χ2 =31.184, p< 0.001) as well as increased overbite (χ2 =55.178, p<0.001) were found to be significantly associated with dental malocclusion. Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of dental malocclusion among the respondents. Tooth malrotation, increased overjet, increased overbite as well as age of the respondents were found to have a significant association with dental malocclusion. The high prevalence of dental malocclusion and clinically relevant occlusal traits therefore require behavioural, preventive and interceptive orthodontic procedures to halt the further progression into severe skeletal anomalies.Item Waste management practices among dental surgery staff of major hospitals in Accra: a descriptive cross sectional study(PAMJ - One Health, 2023) Owusu, A.A.; Kploanyi, E.E.; Blankson, P.K.; Manu, A.; Goka, R.Y.; Armah, R.N.; Akweongo, P.Introduction: the practice of dentistry in contemporary times produces considerable waste that could be harmful to individuals and the environment at large. In Ghana and many other jurisdictions, there are guidelines that outline how these wastes should be managed. This study was conducted to explore practices concerning dental waste management among dental surgery staff in some public facilities in Accra, Ghana. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study involving dental surgery staff of four major facilities in Accra was done. Overall, 124 staff from the selected facilities participated in the study, and 51 different dental surgeries were assessed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an observation checklist. The questionnaire included questions on socio-demographics, as well as knowledge and practices regarding dental waste management. Results: there was unsatisfactory knowledge of waste disposal, while practices did not generally meet international recommendations and the Ministry of Health´s (MOH) guidelines. Though all respondents stored their sharp waste in puncture proof containers, 98.4% did not label their clinical waste, while 62.9% would dispose of used X-ray fixers by pouring them down the drain. None of the 51 surgeries observed had more than one colour code available. Conclusion: there is a palpable need for education, monitoring, and empowerment concerning waste management in Ghana´s oral healthcare system.