C Mukashyaka1, B Uzabakiriho2, C L Amoroso1, T Mpunga2, J Odhiambo1, P Mukashema2, B A Seymour3, J de D Sindayigaya2, B L Hedt-Gauthier4. 1. Partners In Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima, Kigali, Rwanda. 2. Ministry of Health, Butaro District Hospital, Burera, Rwanda. 3. Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 4. Partners In Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima, Kigali, Rwanda ; Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract
SETTING: While some studies have reported the prevalence of dental caries in sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about care-seeking behavior or how dental caries are managed, particularly at rural district hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To describe the management of patients seeking care for dental caries at Butaro District Hospital (BDH) in rural Rwanda. DESIGN: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in BDH, in northern Rwanda. A sample of 287 patient encounters for dental caries between January and December 2013 was randomly selected and stratified by age group (⩽5 years, 6-21 years and >21 years). We estimated the treatment received with 95% confidence intervals in each age group, and differences between age groups were assessed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Nearly all patients (97.6%) underwent tooth extraction, and this did not vary significantly by age group (P = 0.558). In addition to dental caries, most patients also had chronic pulpitis (74.9%). CONCLUSION: Caries prevention and care should be prioritized through a developed community program on oral health. We recommend introducing advanced training, equipment and materials for dental caries management other than tooth extraction, and increasing the number of qualified dentists.
SETTING: While some studies have reported the prevalence of dental caries in sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about care-seeking behavior or how dental caries are managed, particularly at rural district hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To describe the management of patients seeking care for dental caries at Butaro District Hospital (BDH) in rural Rwanda. DESIGN: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in BDH, in northern Rwanda. A sample of 287 patient encounters for dental caries between January and December 2013 was randomly selected and stratified by age group (⩽5 years, 6-21 years and >21 years). We estimated the treatment received with 95% confidence intervals in each age group, and differences between age groups were assessed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Nearly all patients (97.6%) underwent tooth extraction, and this did not vary significantly by age group (P = 0.558). In addition to dental caries, most patients also had chronic pulpitis (74.9%). CONCLUSION: Caries prevention and care should be prioritized through a developed community program on oral health. We recommend introducing advanced training, equipment and materials for dental caries management other than tooth extraction, and increasing the number of qualified dentists.
Authors: Agnes Binagwaho; Patrick Kyamanywa; Paul E Farmer; Tej Nuthulaganti; Benoite Umubyeyi; Jean Pierre Nyemazi; Soline Dusabeyesu Mugeni; Anita Asiimwe; Uzziel Ndagijimana; Helen Lamphere McPherson; Jean de Dieu Ngirabega; Anne Sliney; Agnes Uwayezu; Vincent Rusanganwa; Claire M Wagner; Cameron T Nutt; Mark Eldon-Edington; Corrado Cancedda; Ira C Magaziner; Eric Goosby Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2013-11-21 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Poul Erik Petersen; Denis Bourgeois; Hiroshi Ogawa; Saskia Estupinan-Day; Charlotte Ndiaye Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2005-09-30 Impact factor: 9.408