Knowledge and Practice of Oral Habits in Children by Medical Practitioners at The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Oral habits existing beyond the age of 4 years are a major risk factor for malocclusion, which negatively impacts on the functional and psychosocial well-being of a child. The majority of these patients present first to a physician, which is why their ability to detect these habits and refer them to the orthodontist is crucial. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of medical practitioners at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) concerning oral habits in children.

Methods:Asurvey was conducted among medical resident doctors in LASUTH. Questionnaires were distributed through an online data collection platform. Data collected was analysed using SPSS IBM 2023. Results: Amajority of the respondents (57.8%) were unaware that malocclusions are more likely to develop in children with oral habits. Although 93.3% agreed that patients with oral habits should be referred to paediatric dentists, only 66.7% (n = 120) of the respondents referred their patients.

Conclusion: The results showed inadequate knowledge and practice concerning oral habits in children by medical practitioners. This highlighted the need to educate more medical practitioners about oral habits and their effects on occlusion.