research topics in dentistry in nigeria

Nigerian Dental Journal

About the Journal

The Nigerian Dental Journal (NDJ) is the official publication of the Nigerian Dental Association. The NDJ is dedicated to promoting the advancement of oral health in Nigeria through the dissemination of original research and review articles, as well as case reports and other relevant information for dental professionals. The Nigerian Dental Journal publishes peer reviewed, scientific articles relevant to the needs of dental, medical and other health professionals in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Accepted publications include clinical papers, research papers, review papers, technical notes (surgical techniques, technical innovations), case reports and letters to the Editor.

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Volume 32, Issue 1, January-April, 2024

Comparison of Pre-emptive Analgesic Effect of Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, and Placebo in Reducing Post-operative Pain in Intra-alveolar Tooth Extraction at The University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. A Randomised Trial. Pre-emptive analgesic effect of paracetamol and ibuprofen in tooth extraction.

Dental attendance among the elderly in benin-city, edo state, factors that contribute to prolonged hospital stay after discharge among surgical patients in a tertiary hospital in north central nigeria factors contributing to prolonged hospital stay after discharge, knowledge of oral prophylaxis and dental check-up amongst primary school teachers in lagos state: an urban-rural comparative study dental public health, mentoring perceptions and experiences among nigerian undergraduate dental students, relationship between quality of marriages, marital counseling and management of oral lesions among married female worshippers attending religious worship centers in south western population in nigeria., head and neck lymphoma: clinico-demographic profile and pattern of presentations in a south western nigeria tertiary institution, seizures associated with povidone-iodine impregnated antral pack in a child: a case report and review of literature runing title: povidone-iodine induced seizures.

The Nigerian Dental Journal , the official publication of the Nigerian Dental Association publishes peer reviewed, scientific articles relevant to the needs of dental, medical and other health professionals in Nigeria and other parts of the world. The  Nigerian Dental Journal  is published biannually and the contributions that are accepted for publications include clinical papers, research papers, review papers, technical notes (surgical techniques, technical innovations), case reports and letters to the Editor that are related to dentistry and allied professions.

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About the Journal

The Nigerian Journal of Dental Research (NJDR) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal and an official publication of the School of Dentistry, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

VISION To emerge as a reputable journal of international standard in disseminating evidence-based scientific information to health professionals and students geared toward improved and qualitative Oral, Dental and Craniofacial healthcare services MISSION To facilitate and advance evidence-based knowledge of high academic standards and to uniquely emerge as the most sought-after journal for publication and reference in Oral, Dental and Craniofacial healthcare research AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To publish innovative articles that will stimulate and promote research which will eventually facilitate the progress of Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Sciences. To provide a robust platform for researchers and commentators to share knowledge and report findings. To serve as a medium for suggesting culturally competent reforms in the progress and reach of dentistry to the community especially the underserved and economically constrained. To serve as a valuable reference for academia, policymakers and industries.

This journal is indexed in African Journals Online (AJOL), African Index Medicus (AIM), IndexCopernicus, Infobase, IJIFactor, DRJI and Journal Factor. AJOL

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• Frontiers in Oral Health
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Dentistry and Oral Health in Africa

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Africa is the second largest continent with 54 countries and 1.3 billion inhabitants representing 14% of the world’s population. The great majority of African countries are low- and lower-middle income countries facing economic, developmental, social, educational, environmental, health and healthcare ...

Keywords : Africa, oral health, dentistry, dental education, dental care, dental research

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• Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Lagos
• Mon - Fri: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos

Call us now, send mail us: [email protected], welcome to the faculty of dental sciences.

To be the pace –setting Faculty of Science in Nigeria and beyond in producing excellent graduates in research, learning and character.

To provide the platform of high academic standard in both research and learning in Science.

Faculty of Dental Sciences

The Faculty of Dental Sciences of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos established in 1964 by a senate resolution. It is the oldest Dental School in Nigeria/West Africa and indeed the First Dental Faculty to be promoted and established in Sub-Saharan Africa by Black Africans.The history of the Faculty/Dental Centre and indeed dental education in Nigeria will be incomplete without delving into the history of the establishment of the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL).

The idea of establishing a Medical School in Lagos was the brainchild of the then Minister of Health, Dr. M.A. Majekodunmi. One of the visions for the Medical School was in the words of Chief Majekodunmi“one which would be a great centre of learning and scholarship and a training ground for men and women dedicated to the service of their fellow men/women and many of who die daily for lack of adequate medical care”. To achieve these objectives, the 350-bed Mainland Hospital at Idi-Araba, Surulere was formally designated the Lagos University Hospital.

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Dentistry And Dental Technology

Dentistry and dental technology research papers/topics, prevalence and factors associated with pneumonia among under-fives attending kiryandongo general hospital.

ABSTRACT Pneumonia is still a major contributor of morbidity and mortality, especially among the underfives of sub-Saharan Africa. This, occurring in the backdrop of global reports of prevalence decrease between 2000 and 2015 of more than 22%, is cause for concern. There has to be factors that can be attributed to this non-uniform fall in prevalence especially in Uganda, and Kiryandongo where shockingly, data on the subject matter is minimal, if not totally non-existent. The study set out to ...

Dental Service Utilization by Seropositive Adults at Community Health Aids Initiative Clinic in Kampala International University-Teaching Hospital, Bushenyi District

Table of contentsDECLARATION...................................................................................................................... IAPPROVAL ............................................................................................................................IIDEDICATION.......................................................................................................................IIIACKNOWLEDGEMENT......................................................................

Assessment of Different Breastfeeding Practices and Nutritional status Of Children Below The Age Of Five Years In Sheema District, Uganda

TABLE OF CONTENTSDECLARATION ........................................................................................................... IAPPROVAL ................................................................................................................. IIDEDICATION.............................................................................................................IIIACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...........................................................................................IVLIS...

Factors Contributing to Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Under Five in Nkondo, Buyende District

Abstract A cross sectional descriptive transverse study was carried out in Nkondo sub-county, Buyende district from February 2014 up to November 2014 aimed at assessing factors contributing to severe acute malnutrition in the under fives in the area so as to develop strategies of improving the welfare health conditions of children. Severe acute Malnutrition in Uganda affects a large number of children under 5 years and remains a major public health problem in the country and Nkondo sub-count...

Determination of Family Planning utilization among women of reproductive age, Bududa District, Uganda

ABSTRACT The study investigated into determinations of family planning utilization among women of reproductive age between 15 – 49year in Bududa district in Eastern Uganda. Five objectives and six research questions were used to guide the study. The researcher carried out a retrospective descriptive study. Review or study of the available records was used in the collection of the data for the period between April 2011–May 2013.The study was aimed at documenting information on family plann...

Prevalance And Risk Factors Of Urinary Tract Infections Among Pregnant Mothers Attending Antenatal Care At Kampala International University Teaching Hosipital

Background: Urinary tract infections represent the most common bacterial infection in pregnancy. Screening for and treatment of UTI in pregnancy has become a standard of obstetric care and most antenatal guidelines include routine screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalance and risk factors of Urinary Tract Infections among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care at Kampala International University -Teaching Hospital. Materials and me...

Analysis On Survival Rate Of Premature And Critically Sick New-Born Babies Admitted At Windhoek Central Hospital (Wch), Namibia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Prematurity is the major cause of neonatal death world-wide, Namibia included. In Namibia, the neonatal mortality has increased dramatically from 19 deaths per 1000 live births in 2000 to 30 deaths per 1000 live birth in 2014. Objectives: To determine the survival rate of premature and critically sick new-born babies and assess the risk factors associated with death of these babies (premature babies – are babies born before 37 weeks of gestation, counting from the fi...

Perception of dental student and recent graduates of a Nigeria dental school on the Quality of undergraduate training Received

Oral hygiene practices of dental house officers and residents in teaching hospital in lagos nigeria, oro-facial lesions and cd4 counts associated with hlvlalds in an adult population in oyo state, nigeria, assessment of current oral health knowledge attitude and oral hygiene practices among 12-year old school children and patients attending the dental facility at vezo hospital.

Aim: This pilot study aimed to evaluate oral health knowledge, perceptions and oral hygiene practices among 12- year old children from the local school of Andavadoaka and patients visiting the dental facility at Vezo Hospital, Andavadoaka, Madagascar. Materials and Methods: Data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of 18 close-ended questions. The study population consisted of 12-year old schoolchildren from three sixth-grade classes (total n=70), and dental patients of all ages ...

Longevity of conventional GIC versus compomers in primary teeth [October 14, 2018]

Search result: Four clinical studies concerning restorations were found. Clinical outcomes: The results indicate no difference in the success rate between both types of material if high-viscosity GIC was compared against Compomers. [‘Preliminary Systematic Literature Searches’ are based on SYSTEM’s periodic systematic searches of the dental literature and provide first overviews over existing clinical evidence but are limited in the number of databases searched, as well as the assessme...

Survival rate of ART restorations with high-viscosity GIC versus conventional RM-GIC [October 13, 2018]

Search result: Only two clinical studies concerning restorations were found. Clinical outcomes: The results indicate no difference in the survival rate after 12 and 24 months. [‘Preliminary Systematic Literature Searches’ are based on SYSTEM’s periodic systematic searches of the dental literature and provide first overviews over existing clinical evidence but are limited in the number of databases searched, as well as the assessment of precision and internal validity of results and thu...

Retention of conventional GIC versus RM-GIC restorations [October 13, 2018]

Search result: There is still a lack of studies to this topic and only two clinical studies concerning restorations were found. Clinical outcomes: The results indicate no difference in the retention rate after 12 and 42 months in Class V and Class II restorations, respectively. [‘Preliminary Systematic Literature Searches’ are based on SYSTEM’s periodic systematic searches of the dental literature and provide first overviews over existing clinical evidence but are limited in the number...

The current evidence for caries prevention and treatment in xeriostomic patients [October 11, 2018]

Search result: Ten controlled clinical studies relevant to the topic were found. Clinical outcomes: The results indicate: -               GIC/RM-GIC have higher caries-preventive effects than composite/amalgam in cases were no additional fluoride was provided to patients have been shown; -               Topical fluoride is indicated as caries-preventive; -               Mineral containing supplements, with and without casein appear to be at least as...

Dentistry is a branch of medicine that consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, commonly in the dentition but also the oral mucosa, and of adjacent and related structures and tissues, particularly in the maxillofacial (jaw and facial) area. Dental technology is the technical side of dentistry.  Afribary provides list of academic papers and project topics in Dentistry and Dental Technology. You can browse Dentistry and Dental Technology project topics, Dentistry and Dental Technology thesis topics, Dentistry and Dental Technology dissertation topics, Dentistry and Dental Technology seminar topics, Dentistry and Dental Technology essays/papers, Dentistry and Dental Technology text books and lesson notes in Dentistry and Dental Technology field.

Popular Papers/Topics

Halitosis among students in shehu idris college of health science and technology, makarfi, kaduna state, isolation and characterisation of oral microbes in periodontal diseased patients attending federal college of dental technology and therapy dental, halitosis among student in shehu idris college of health science and technology, makarfi, kaduna state, cariostatic effect of conventional gic versus composite resin [october 10, 2018], how do composite (cad/cam) crowns compare to ceramic crowns in terms of clinical restoration survival [november 26, 2017], survival rate of restorations with gic cavity liners versus restorations with no-gic liners [november 13, 2016], do patients, who have received polytetrafluoroethylene (ptfe) based sutures experience less, similar or more gingival inflammation than patients with polyamid (nylon) based sutures [june 05,, the current evidence for caries prevention and treatment in xeriostomic patients [october 11, 2015], what is the clinical bleaching effect of 10 and 15% carbamide peroxide based products for home use tooth whitening [november 29, 2017], coating of high-viscosity gic [october 09, 2018], antibacterial effect of gic versus composite resin [october 08, 2018].

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Undergraduate dental education in Nigeria: perceptions of dental students and recent dental graduates

• PMID: 30230805

Background: Students’ perception of their education is a subject that has received very little attention by those providing dental school education. This is more so in the Nigerian environment, where limited research has been carried out in dental education, particularly with respect to the students’ perspectives on the quality of training received.

Objective: Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of dental students and recent dental graduates in Nigeria on their level of satisfaction with the quality of academic and clinical training received in their respective dental schools and the challenges faced in receiving this training.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out amongst 271 dental students and recent dental graduates from eight dental schools in the country. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Data collection was via self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 17.

Results: The final study sample was made up of 239 students, with a mean age of 24.57 (2.21) years. The two dental specialties in which the least level of satisfaction was recorded with regard to the quality of academic training received were Conservative Dentistry and Orthodontics, while for clinical training they were Conservative Dentistry and Oral Biology/Pathology. The three most common factors which were adversely affecting the quality of clinical training received were, poor electricity supply, insufficient dental chairs and quality of training received.

Conclusion: Dental students and recent graduates of Nigerian Dental schools are not satisfied with the quality of undergraduate training received in some dental specialties at their respective dental schools.

• Attitude of Health Personnel*
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Education, Dental*
• Personal Satisfaction*
• Students, Dental / psychology*
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17 Best Dental schools in Nigeria

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Nigeria ranked based on their research performance in Dentistry. A graph of 26.9K citations received by 3.89K academic papers made by 17 universities in Nigeria was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Lagos

For Dentistry

2. University of Ibadan

3. Obafemi Awolowo University

4. University of Benin

5. University of Nigeria

6. Ahmadu Bello University

7. University of Port Harcourt

8. University of Maiduguri

9. University of Calabar

10. Bayero University Kano

11. Federal University of Technology, Akure

12. Lagos State University

13. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

14. Usmanu Danfodio University

15. Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti

16. University of Ilorin

17. University of Jos

The best cities to study Dentistry in Nigeria based on the number of universities and their ranks are Lagos , Ibadan , Ife , and Benin .

Medicine subfields in Nigeria

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Project / Seminar Research Topics and Materials on Dentistry

Project and Seminar Topics with Materials on Dentistry

Welcome to Samphina Academy, this is the Official Project / Seminar Material Library for all students of the department of Dentistry. The topics listed here can be used as guide to carryout academic research work for either Undergraduate / Postgraduate Project, Seminar or Thesis. We pride ourselves in rendering quality services.

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• Prevalence Of Dental Caries Among Students Of Refine City College, Ogijo Sagamu, Ogun State
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• Published: 21 July 2023

Dental nursing in Nigeria

• Adeshola Ayinde 1  

BDJ Team volume  10 ,  page 34 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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Although Adeshola Ayinde is now working as a care assistant in the UK, she writes about her typical day as a dental nurse in Lagos, Nigeria.

My name is Adeshola Ayinde, and I hold a diploma in dental surgery assisting. Despite having no family members in the dentistry field, I found myself drawn to this profession and pursued it with passion. I hail from Ede South, Osun State, Nigeria, but have resided in Lagos, Nigeria, for most of my life.

To beat the infamous Lagos traffic, I wake up early, usually around 5 am, to prepare for work. Since I live 35 km away from my workplace, I must take a bus to get there. Before leaving, I usually take cereal with milk for breakfast.

At the dental clinic where I work, I put in long hours, from 8 am to 5 pm, six days a week. As a dental nurse, my responsibilities include welcoming patients, registering them, setting up the surgery before and after procedures, sterilising instruments, assisting the dentist during procedures, providing postoperative instructions and oral hygiene education, taking dental x-rays, and performing scaling and polishing under the dentist's supervision.

To become a dental nurse, one must have a three-year professional diploma, register with the Dental Therapist Registration Board of Nigeria, and renew their licence annually. Although my initial plan was to study Science Laboratory Technology, the college I selected didn't offer the course. So, I chose dental surgery assistant, and I have no regrets about that decision.

I find it fulfilling to restore people's confidence by giving them beautiful smiles. Although it can be challenging to manage my time - especially since we only have a small team, including two dental nurses, two dentists, a secretary, and a cleaner - I enjoy my work.

The awareness of oral hygiene is low in Nigeria, and many people are ignorant of what they can do to promote good oral health. Caries is prevalent, and there isn't enough oral education to convince people otherwise. I run a YouTube channel dedicated to raising awareness about oral education in Nigeria. Positive changes must begin with ourselves.

For lunch I usually opt for bread and agonyi beans, a typical African dish. We eat our lunch in the changing room since it's a small clinic.

My days vary as a dental nurse, and I typically get home late due to the traffic. I love to cook, dance, and explore new places. I try to eat healthily and ensure my family practises good oral hygiene by flossing regularly and using the proper brushing technique.

©peeterv/E+/Getty Images Plus

Although dental nursing isn't always considered respectable in Nigeria, I find my work fulfilling. However, I left Nigeria to become a care assistant in the UK because of the poor working conditions and low pay.

It is June 2023 and I have been living in Worcestershire for the past nine months. Although it is possible to work as a dental nurse here, I must wait until I obtain permanent residency. I am in the UK through sponsorship, which means I need to work continuously for five years before being eligible to apply for permanent residency. However, I have not yet come across any opportunities for sponsorship as a dental nurse.

I find it fulfilling to restore people's confidence by giving them beautiful smiles.

I enjoy working as a care assistant as well: it is a fulfilling and rewarding career. However, if given the choice, I would definitely prioritise dentistry.

In the future, I hope to become a dental therapist in the UK and specialise in aesthetic dentistry, restoring people's confidence with beautiful smiles. I believe that with patience, consistency and determination, I can achieve my goal in the dental field.

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Ayinde, A. Dental nursing in Nigeria. BDJ Team 10 , 34 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41407-023-1921-3

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Published : 21 July 2023

Issue Date : 21 July 2023

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41407-023-1921-3

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• v.63(2); 2013 Apr

Emerging trends in dental specialty choice in Nigeria

Solomon olusegun nwhator.

1 Department of Preventive Dentistry, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria

Olubukola Olatosi

2 Department of Child Dental Health, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

Modupe Olufunmilayo Ashiwaju

Gerald ikenna isiekwe.

Asymmetry in the distribution of dental specialists in Nigeria has the potential to negatively affect dental education at all levels. There is a dearth in Nigerian studies on the trends of influencing factors on the choice of dental specialty in Nigeria. Past efforts have not resulted in policy change thus necessitating the current study. One hundred and twelve (51 male, 61 female) Nigerian dental graduates aged 23–55 years with a mean age of 35.21 ± 8.21 years completed self-administered questionnaires to assess the impact of 16 influencing factors on their choice of dental specialty. The graduation period of respondents, which ranged between 0 and 30 years was recoded into three decades and cross-tabulated against 16 influencing factors to assess their relative impact on specialty choice. Diagnostic challenge, predictable work hours and patient type appeared to have maintained a consistent popularity while affluence and income, although less popular influences three decades ago are becoming increasingly relevant while length of programme, prestige and level of crowding exerted less influence on choice of specialty than other factors. The potential influence of incentives such as career counselling and grants for overseas training to encourage enrolment in less popular programmes was assessed based on recommendations from previous studies. However, these measures appeared to be unpopular among Nigerian dental graduates. Diagnostic challenges and predictable work hours remain popular as influencing factors on choice of dental specialty among Nigerian dental graduates. Affluence and income, although previously unpopular are now gaining popularity among Nigerian dental graduates.

INTRODUCTION

Arowojolu et al. 1 highlighted concerns about the asymmetrical distribution of dental specialists and its potential harmful impact on dental education in Nigeria. The number of dental schools in Nigeria has since increased with no commensurate increase or equitable distribution of specialists, especially within ‘endangered’ specialties.

Economic influences often have an impact on many aspects of private and public life, but to what extent have such influences affected specialty choice among Nigerian dental graduates? Are Nigerian dental graduates more interested in postgraduate dental education or in making money?

As the study by Arowojolu and co-workers 1 was carried out about 15 years ago, the authors of the current study decided to investigate evolving trends in dental specialty choice among Nigerian dental graduates in order to answer new questions: What has changed in the last decade? Have research findings in the area of speciality training choices translated into policy change? Are influences on specialty choice evolving or stagnant and what are the postgraduate medical colleges doing to address the evolving trends?

Answering these questions will help us to understand current trends. Further, we believe that researchers should go beyond a mere understanding of trends to influence positive action towards policy change. This will require constructive engagement with decision makers in dental education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Aim of study

To identify trends in factors influencing postgraduate specialty choice among Nigerian dental graduates with a view to effecting a change in policy.

Study setting

Participants were attendees at continuing dental education events of the Nigerian dental association and dental specialty conferences. These attract representatives from various cadres of dental personnel working in Nigeria.

Non-random, convenience sampling using a captive audience was used. All attendees at the stated events were approached to respond to questionnaires.

The chosen sampling technique provided a quick method of obtaining opinions on the subject matter. All participants fulfilled the required inclusion criteria (being dentists). Many participants were also consultants and postgraduate trainers. This at least partly eliminated the bias often associated with a ‘captive’ audience.

All respondents were Nigerian dentists. The response rate for completed questionnaires was 112 of 131 (85.5%). Of this total, 51 were males and 61 were females with ages ranging from 23 to 55 years, a mean age of 35.21 years ± 8.21 and a modal age of 33 years.

Study instrument

The study instrument used was a self-administered questionnaire requesting demographic information, opinions on interesting or stressful undergraduate subjects and information on choice of speciality using a graded (Likert) scale for relative importance of factors influencing choice of specialty.

A total of 16 influences on choice of specialty were assessed:

• • Possession of special skills
• • Intellectual content of specialty
• • Challenging diagnostic problems
• • Predictable working hours
• • Specific interest in patient type
• • Affluence of residents in the programme
• • Length of residency
• • Good income within specialty
• • Private practice opportunities
• • Prestige
• • Few specialists
• • Pre-dental school career plans
• • Career counselling
• • Availability of spaces
• • Pass rate in department
• • Grants for overseas training.

The research questions were:

• • To what extent have economic influences affected speciality choice in dentistry?
• • Are dental graduates more or less interested in postgraduate education or in making money?
• • What has changed in the last decade?
• • Are influencers of specialty choice evolving or stagnant?
• • How are the postgraduate medical colleges responding to evolving trends in specialty choice?

Consent and confidentiality

Compliance in filling in the questionnaire was taken as implied consent while refusal to fill in all part of questionnaire was taken as consent not given. Names and other personal identifiable information were omitted from the questionnaire to ensure confidentiality.

Ethical consideration

Every aspect of the research was in full accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the committee on dental education of the Nigerian dental association.

Data analysis

Data were analysed using PASW (SPSS) statistics 2 . Univariate analysis for frequencies of parameters were performed. Multivariate analysis and cross-tabulations were employed for dependent (outcome) variables against several covariates (explanatory variables).

Variables in crosstabs yielding invalid chi-square figures (expected count more than 20%) were recoded and appropriately recategorised. Such data included, but were not limited to, age, year of gradation and all responses on the three-point Likert scale.

Coding of years since graduation was carried out using three bands where 0–10 years = 1, 11–20 years = 2 and 21–30 years = 3. Three-point Likert responses were coded as 1 = not important recoded, 2 = minimally important/Important and 3 = very important/extremely important recoded.

For the purpose of meaningful statistical analysis, subjects and specialties were also regrouped, as reflected in the Tables.

To assess the relative strengths of the opinions assessed through the Likert scale, recoded responses assessed through the scale served as influencers, which were entered into a binary logistic regression model, while dichotomous responses such as gender, marital status, etc., served as dependent(outcome) variables.

Relative strengths of association were based on resulting odds ratios (Exp B) and P -values at 95% CI; P -values≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Inferences on trends were based on differences observed over three decades based on responses of participants who had graduated over the last three decades.

Sixty respondents graduated 0–10 years ago, 28 graduated 11–20 years ago and 15 graduated 21–30 years ago.

Diagnostic challenges, predictable working hours and patient type

The relative changes observed in the percentage of respondents whose choice of specialty was influenced by the relative diagnostic challenge of their chosen specialties were inconsistent over the three decades. The greatest percentage of respondents considered diagnostic challenges as extremely important over the last three decades (50.0%, 79.3% and 46.7%, respectively). The observed trends did not achieve statistical significance ( P = 0.07; Table 1 ).

Cross-tabulation of specialty choice influences by years since graduation

Influencing factors: challenge, working hours, patient type, affluence.

Over the three decade ranges, more respondents were influenced by an assurance of predictable working hours than those who considered it unimportant (57.4%, 58.6% and 53.3%, respectively). However the intra-decade percentages did not reflect across decades, as changes were inconsistent and consequently not statistically significant ( P = 0.61). Similarly, trends in the influence of patient type on specialty choice showed inconsistencies both within and across decades and minor changes observed did not achieve statistical significance ( P = 0.56; Table 1 ).

Affluence and income

A sharp difference was noticed in the importance of affluence of current residents in specialties. While about 50% of respondents who graduated three decades ago considered affluence important or extremely important, this figure has risen to over 70% within the last decade. The observed differences were statistically significant ( P = 0.04; Table 1 ). Similarly, the influence of income was strong within and across decades, reflecting a steep statistically significant increase (73%, 89% and 95%, respectively) in the percentage of respondents who considered income as either important or extremely important over the last three decades ( P = 0.04; Table 2 ).

Cross-tabulation of influences on choice of specialty by years since graduation

Influencing factors: length, income, prestige, specialists.

Length of programme, prestige and number of specialists

The influence of the length of residency programme on specialty choice appeared to be less than previously discussed influencing factors as the figures revealed that the percentages of respondents graduating over the last three decades who considered length of residency extremely important were only 32.4%, 13.8% and 26.7%, respectively, and the observed differences did not achieve statistical significance ( P = 0.34; Table 2 ).

The increasing importance accorded to prestige by respondents graduating over the last three decades was reflected in the percentages of respondents who considered it important enough to rate it as either important or extremely important, rising from 73% three decades ago to 86% two decades ago to 91% in the last decade. As steep as the increase appears, the differences were not statistically significant ( P = 0.33) and neither was the number of specialists ( P = 0.08; Table 2 ).

Other influencing factors

Trends observed among respondents over the last three decades revealed that pre-dental school career plans ( P = 0.31), career counselling ( P = 0.16), availability of spaces ( P = 0.63), pass rate ( P = 0.47) and grants for overseas training ( P = 0.22) showed a consistent trend of non-significance as influencing factors for specialist dental careers ( Table 3 ).

Influencing factors: plans, counselling, availability, pass rate.

While most of the studies cited were carried out among medical graduates, the authors of the current study found no studies on trends in influencing factors on dental specialty choice in Nigeria. Therefore, the focus of the current study was not merely to report influencing factors but to analyse how these influences have evolved over the years.

Arowojolu et al. 1 examined factors affecting choice of dental specialty but did not consider trends. Bearing in mind that that their study was carried out about 15 years ago, it was pertinent to consider emerging trends, vis-à-vis their observations, predictions and recommendations.

The lack of statistical significance ( P = 0.07) in the influence of diagnostic challenges on specialty choice among respondents is quite clear from the results. However, this factor was highly rated among respondents (87%, 93% and 91%, respectively, over the three decades) and was rated as either as ‘important’ or ‘extremely important’. Diagnostic challenges, therefore, appears to be a strong influence on specialty choice among Nigerian dental graduates.

The same phenomenon was observed for the influence of predictable working hours as about 80%, 92% and 92% of respondents rated this as ‘Important’ or ‘Extremely Important’, respectively. Similarly, 80%, 90% and 82% of respondents considered interest in a specific patient type as either ‘important’ or ‘extremely important’.

These three influencing factors on choice of dental specialty have enjoyed consistent popularity over the last three decades. Their failure to achieve statistical significance therefore reflects a consistency in trend rather than being insignificant as the statistical analysis suggests. The findings corroborate those of Saeed et al. 3 and partly corroborate findings by Al-Ansani and co-workers 4 who reported a difference in specialist choice influencers between medical graduates seeking to pursue careers in general medicine as opposed to surgery. They observed that both diagnostic challenges and consideration of patient type were popular among aspirants to medicine while aspirants to a surgical specialty were influenced more by prestige and work hours 4 .

Affluence, income and prestige

Unlike the three influencing factors discussed above, there has been a generational shift in the impact of affluence and income on choice of dental specialty over the last three decades. The figures, rising from 50% to 70% for affluence and 73% to 95% for income show a trend that is statistically significant ( P = 0.04 and 0.04, respectively).These findings partly corroborate previous studies 3 , but with subtle differences.

While affluence maintains an intermediate position as a moderately important factor, as reflected in their study, income appears to be the most important consideration among current dental graduates in Nigeria corroborating several studies 5. , 6. , 7. , 8. .

Again, while prestige has also enjoyed increasing popularity among dental graduates, the differences in the figures (73%, 86%, 91%, respectively, for the three decades) did not attain statistical significance, corroborating findings of Scott et al. 9 who observed that income had a greater influence on males. Such comparison is, however, outside the scope of the current study.

The influence of income on career speciality choice and career plans appear to cut across continental borders, as shown by an American 4 and a British study 10 .

One of these studies reported that medical students wishing to pursue a career in primary care were not influenced by prestige and income 4. , 11. . A perceived lack of prestige was positively correlated with rejecting a career in family medicine 12 . However, it is not clear how this influence affects dental specialties.

Length of programme and fewer specialists

The popularity of this group of influences on choice of specialty among Nigerian dental graduates has remained quite high over the years. The percentages of respondents who considered these influences as either ‘important’ or ‘extremely important’ were about 73%, 69%, 82%, respectively (for the three decades), for programme length and 89%, 82% and 90%, respectively, for fewer specialists, respectively.

Unlike elsewhere in the world, there are no differential lengths across residency training specialties in Nigeria. This probably explains why this important factor appears to be considered inconsequential among Nigerian dental graduates.

While the importance accorded these factors is clear from the results, their lack of statistical significance stems from the absence of obvious trend changes among different generations of Nigerian dental graduates.

Influences such as pre-dental school career plans, career counselling, availability of spaces and grants for overseas training showed trends that were not great enough to achieve statistical significance. They exerted a moderate to high influence on choice of specialty among dental graduates but there is a dearth of studies considering these variables in their assessment of influences on career choice. This makes it difficult to compare current findings with those of previous workers. There is therefore a need for more research on the influence of these factors.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Three-point Likert scale responses recoded for statistical comparisons could have affected inferences. In addition, some respondents who graduated two to three decades ago may have decided to specialise within the last decade. It is also possible that the 112 participants might not fully reflect the views of the over 4000 Nigerian practising dentists.

A dearth of comparable literature has resulted in a relatively small number of references cited in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

While diagnostic challenge, predictable work hours and patient type have remained popular influences on specialty choice, affluence and income, which were less popular three decades ago, are now becoming increasingly popular influences on choice of specialty among Nigerian dental graduates. In view of our results, the study should now be replicated within a larger group of participants.

Competing interest

None declared.

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