Fixed-prosthodontics in Nigerian private practice settings

Abstract

Context: Private practice dentistry is predominant in Nigeria. Audits of fixed-prosthodontic practice in these settings are rare and will highlight capacity and guide training. This study aimed to assess the scope and quality of fixed-prosthodontic practice in such settings in Nigeria. Objectives: The study sought to assess: • Participants’ sociodemographic and their diagnostic and preoperative practices. • The quality of impression making and operative technique, reviews and maintenance, temporization practices and communication with the laboratory. • The range of treatments given and provision of advanced treatments. Materials and Methods: An adapted questionnaire was administered electronically on Nigerian dentists practicing fixed-prosthodontics in private practice settings. Retrieved data underwent descriptive statistics and associations were tested with the Fischer’s Exact and Chi-Square tests using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05. Results: A total of 100 valid responses with a male:female ratio of 2.1:1 from 16 states were retrieved. Fifty-nine participants had only first degrees and mean experience was 14.3±9.5 years. There were 27 adequate responses with regards to range of treatments offered. Sixty-three participants practiced direct temporization. Twenty-one and 14 participants regularly practiced implantology and CAD/CAM dentistry respectively. Direct temporization was significantly associated with increasing education (X2=6.03, p=0,05) and experience (X2=13.2, p=0.03). Conclusion: Only a few Nigerian dentists in private practice gave an adequate range of treatment. Most of them prefer direct temporization. Implantology and CAD/CAM dentistry practice are improving, but are still not very common.

Keywords

• Dentistry
• Fixed-prosthodontics
• Private practice
• Nigeria