The Influence of the Demographic Factors of Nigerian Dental Practitioners on their Perception of Accelerated Orthodontics
Benjamin O. Okino
Department of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Chikamaram O. Okino
Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Chinyere Ututu
Department of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Mariam Orikpete
Department of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Chukwudi O. Onyeaso *
Department of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt / University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Although there are many studies on the reviving subject of accelerated orthodontics, there is paucity of information on the factors that could influence a dental practitioner’s perception of the concept.
Aim: To investigate the influence of the demographic factors of some Nigerian dental practitioners on their perception of accelerated orthodontics.
Materials and Methods: Electronic and physical methods of surveying the Nigerian dental practitioners were carried out between January and June 2023. The contents of the questionnaire involving their perception of accelerated orthodontics were analysed for associations with the participants’ demographics, using the IBM SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics, the ANOVA and independent t-test were used with the significance level set at P< .05.
Results: No statistically significant associations were found between the participants’ demographics and their perception of accelerated orthodontics (P > .05), except for age group of 40-49 that revealed significant association with the local use of some medications intraorally (P<.05).
Conclusion/Recommendation: Generally, the participants’ demographics did not have significant influence on their perception of accelerated orthodontics, and further related studies are advocated.
Keywords: Demographics, Nigerian dental practitioners, perception, accelerated orthodontics