Three Years Experience of the Ipetumodu Community Oral Health Project

Methods: Relevant Information and data were collected from quarterly reports, Minutes of Management committee meetings, community oral health surveys, revolving fund and clinic records. The data was analysed by computer using the SPSS statistical programme (Version 11.0). Where necessary, comparisons were made using the Chi-square statistic and differences were taken as significant at p<0.05

Results: Community acceptance of the project was very high. Over 90% had never visited the dentist. Those who visited were to relieve pain. Oral hygiene was generally very poor. The mean (+ SD) DMFT for secondary school students with mean age 17.2 (+2.2) was 0.04 (+ 0.26), range 0 to 3, and the ‘Filled' component was 0.0%. Other findings in this group were attrition 10.4%, malocclusion 14.9%, and Traumatic Anterior Dental injuries 2.5%. Mapping of attendance at the dental clinic, situated within a Primary Health Care centre, revealed wide coverage within the Local Government Area (LGA), and a few attended from outside the LGA. The revolving fund system for the purchase of dental consumables was effective.

CONCLUSIONS: There is an important need for increased oral health awareness and the institution of dental clinics at the local government level in Nigeria. The issue of sustainability also need to be adequately considered.

(Supported by the Carnegie Corporation, New York. Grant B D 02085.R01)