Multidisciplinary management of orthodontic patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: Orthodontic patients may present with complex dentofacial problems that require treatment by more than one dental specialist as well as medical specialists. Such patients present not only with malocclusion but also dental caries, periodontal diseases, dental trauma, missing teeth, sleep apnoea among others. Multi-disciplinary management allows for effective and efficient comprehensive care. The aim of this study was to highlight the multidisciplinary care of orthodontic patients at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
Materials and Methods: A 7-year retrospective study of patients who attended the Orthodontic Clinic in the Department of Child Dental Health, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Data collected from the patients’ files was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics for Windows version 25.0.
Results: A total of 200 patients with an age range of 4-44years comprising 80 (40%) males and 120 (60%) females were included in the study. The majority of patients, 145 (72.5%) had scaling and polishing performed by paediatric dentists whilst 53 (26.5%) adult patients were seen by a periodontologist. Eight (4%) had root canal therapy, composite and glass ionomer cement (GIC) restorations placement by a restorative dentist whilst 6 (3%) had teeth replaced by the prosthodontist. The patients were also co-managed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons (28,14%), Ear Nose and Throat surgeons (3,1.5%), paediatricians (5, 2.5%) and neurosurgeons (2, 1%).
Conclusion: Multidisciplinary management of our patients was by both medical and dental specialists particularly paediatric dentists and periodontists.