A 5-year retrospective audit of orthodontic services in a tertiary hospital

Orthodontics became a recognized specialty of dentistry in Nigeria about four decades ago with the provision of services at the Orthodontic Unit of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos.

The study reviewed and appraised the orthodontic services provided at the Orthodontic Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos over a five-year period.

A retrospective study of first visit patients with various malocclusions seen at the Orthodontic Unit of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria between September 2000 and August 2005 was conducted. The demographic data, date of presentation, presenting malocclusion, referrers for each patient, and types of orthodontic treatment received and where referred for further treatment were recorded.

A total of 512 first visit patients were seen during the study period under review.There were 292 (57.0%) females and 220 (43.0%) males, with an age range of 3 months to 41 years and a mean age of 14.65 +6.43 years (S.D). Majority of the patients were in the 11-20 years age group (n=266, 52.0%). Angle's Class I malocclusion was the most common problems seen (n=360, 72.0%). Of all the patients seen, the primary concern was on their teeth arrangement which was found to be unsatisfactory in 273, 53.3% patients. There was increased awareness of their problems and this led about 44% of the study group to seek orthodontic treatment on their own. Fixed upper and lower appliances were the most common types of appliances used at the centre (n=265, 51.8%). Out of 246 patients who benefitted from one form of interdisciplinary treatment or the other, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Paediatric Dentistry departments treated 39.8% and 31.7% respectively.

Angle's Class I malocclusion appeared to be the most common malocclusion among the patients seen. Patients seen during the study period were more aware of their need for treatment and fixed upper and lower appliances were mostly used. The low referral by doctors was observed. There is a need to better integrate more basic dental skills in the training of the medical students. The information obtained in the study will help with future manpower development, teaching, further research and improvement in services provided at the hospital.