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Biomedical subjects

G N Opinya

Publications and source records attributed to G N Opinya.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Fluoride and abrasive content in commonly used dentifrices on the Kenyan market.

About one decade ago, a heated debate on the appropriateness of fluoride dentifrices in Kenya culminated in the introduction of no-fluoride brands. Analysis of dentifrices that were available on the market in 1989/1990 confirmed two distinctly different categories, the fluoride and the low or no-fluoride types. Among the former, the mean ionic fluoride concentration ranged between 0.4 and 1.36 mg/g while the total fluoride concentration ranged between 1.15 and 114.68 mg/g. The low or no-fluoride dentifrices had less than 0.03 mg/g ionic fluoride and less than 2.14 mg/g total fluoride. The mean abrasive (powder) content ranged between 26.5 g% and 78.5 g%. The gel categories had markedly lower powder values than the pastes. The ash values of the powders ranged between 15.8 g% and 85 g% and did not have an obvious relationship with the powder content. Despite the obvious risk of increasing exposure to excessive fluoride among children, presently, the situation has reverted to the pre-debate time. Given the ubiquitous nature of ingestable fluoride in the region, provision of guidelines and guidance on the sale of dentifrices by the government and consumer organisations, and increased accountability of the manufacturers are recommended.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1993

Dental caries, gingivitis and dental plaque in handicapped children in Nairobi, Kenya.

Dental caries, gingivitis and plaque experience in 449 handicapped children aged 5-15 years attending special schools in Nairobi were determined. An intervention programme to assess oral hygiene status was also instituted. Caries was found in 198 (44%) of these children with a mean DMFT of 0.8. The severity of caries increased with age. Gingivitis was found in 166 (37%) of the children while plaque was present in all sites examined. After treatment during intervention programme, there was marked reduction in the number of sites affected by gingivitis and those with plaque, showing that it is possible to institute a cheap and effective oral health programme in schools.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Traumatic dental injuries in normal and handicapped children in Nairobi, Kenya.

Two thousand, seven hundred and ninety one normal and handicapped children aged 5-15 years were examined for traumatic dental injuries. Twelve percent had traumatised teeth while three percent had soft tissue injuries. More handicapped children (18%) than normal children (11%) had injuries. This study indicates that children need to be educated on preventive measures regarding traumatic dental injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Fluorosis of deciduous teeth and first permanent molars in a rural Kenyan community.

The severity and distribution of fluorosis in the deciduous dentition of 76 children in a low-income community near Nairobi were studied. Seventeen children comprised a low-F (fluoride) group (water less than 0.7 ppm F) and 59 a high-F group (water approximately 9 ppm F). The high-F group had scores greater than or equal to 5 in the Thylstrup & Fejerskov classification system for 29% of the deciduous tooth surfaces, compared with 7% in the low-F group. Comparison between the scores of the second deciduous and the first permanent molars showed no significant difference in the high-F group (p greater than 0.001), whereas the deciduous molar was significantly less severely affected in the low-F group (p less than 0.001). The deciduous molars of the two groups differed significantly (p less than 0.002), but not the permanent molars (p greater than 0.10). Early introduction of tea might have been a major contributor to the distributions of fluorosis, particularly in the low-F group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Intake of fluoride and excretion in mothers' milk in a high fluoride (9 ppm) area in Kenya.

In 27 nursing mothers a study was made on breast milk fluoride (F) levels and the 24-h intake of F through foods and beverages. The daily F intake averaged 22.1 mg (range 9.5-37.2 mg); cooked food contributed 11.7 mg, water 4.5 mg and tea 5.8 mg. The breast milk F concentration averaged 0.033 mg/l (range 0.011-0.073 mg/l). No significant correlation could be established between the milk F level and the intake of F. The milk F level was, however, correlated positively to mothers' age and negatively to mothers' weight. It is concluded that the milk fluoride level was only moderately increased by the high intake of F, and that the children's intake of F through mothers' milk was negligible compared to the very high F intake through complementary foods and beverages.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Skeletal and dental fluorosis: two case reports.

Two case reports from a high fluoride (10 ppm) rural community. They presented with severe degrees of dental fluorosis, hyper-sensitivity of teeth and skeletal fluorosis all arising from the ingestion of high amount of fluoride in water over a long period of time. Both cases had deformities of the upper and lower limbs. However, the deformities were more pronounced in the lower limbs than in the upper limbs, resulting in knock knee. Radiological finding showed osteosclerosis of the axial bones while the appendicular bones exhibited osteoporosis. There was marked change of bone structure observed as osteomalacia, and course trabecular bone pattern. Osteoporosis was also associated with cortical thinning. Periosteal bone apposition was observed in the bones: and genu valgum of the limbs. Biochemical tests revealed normal values for serum calcium and inorganic phosphate. However, the serum alkaline phosphatase was elevated. This may be an indication of a pathological condition where there are possible compensatory mechanisms to maintain normal levels of serum calcium and inorganic phosphate. One case which had undergone corrective surgical intervention of the lower limbs four years earlier, had continued to live in the same environment using drinking water with 10 ppmF after corrective surgery, and showed no improvement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Dietary habits and oral health in infancy and early childhood of Kenyan children at the Kenyatta National Hospital Paediatric Demonstration Unit.

The survey was conducted by the method of questionnaire in the Maternal Child Health (MCH) clinic. A total of ninety seven mothers brought their children to MCH clinic. The mean maternal age was 22 years, the youngest mother was 16 years old. The total number of children who attended the MCH clinic was 98 with an equal number of boys and girls. The age range was from 0.5-50 months with a mean age of 12 months. Most of the children were introduced to breastmilk substitutes or compliments from the age of 4 months but some of the children had been introduced to breastmilk compliments at an early age of one month. The commonly used breastmilk compliment at the age of one month was noted to be whole cow's milk, skimmed milk from Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC), cooked green bananas, ribena (only given to children of working mothers), fresh orange juice. The orange juice was noted to be given to children belonging to mothers who are either housewives or employed. For ages 2-3 months the commonly used breastmilk compliments or substitutes were noted to be maize meal, sorgum or millet porridge, whole cow's milk, KCC milk, ribena, orange juice, bananas and potatoes in order of preference. These same foods were given at ages 4 months up to 12 months. In addition pulses and eggs were introduced. The number of children who used the artificial formula was 33%. The method of feeding for the children attending the clinic was by using either bottle or spoon and cup. Twenty nine percent of these children were bottlefed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1989

Pediatric recurrent sialectasis: case report.

A 2 1/2-year-old female presented to the Department of Paediatrics with a fever (38.2 degrees C) and bilateral swelling of the parotid salivary glands. A month later, she presented with similar signs and symptoms. Three months later the patient had a third attack and was referred to the Paediatric Dental Department. A clinical examination and sialography showed a normal Stensen's duct. The parenchyma of the right parotid had a combination of punctate lesions (1-2 mm in diameter) and globular lesions (3 mm in diameter). In the left parotid there were punctate lesions approximately 1 mm in diameter. The patient was managed with antipyretics (acetaminophen) and penicillin. This condition should be referred to as sialadenitis pediatrica as it presents as a clinical entity with signs and symptoms of swelling and pyrexia in the absence of sialography and histological findings. It is referred to as sialectasis after histological and sialographic observations detect lesions affecting the parenchyma of the salivary glands.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1989

Parental child abuse and neglect from a paediatric dental clinic: two case reports.

A seven and twelve-year old boy and girl presented to the paediatric dental clinic seeking dental treatment. The boy had dental neglect with fearful and uncooperative behaviour; while the girl was defiant and had disruptive behaviour. The behaviour of the two children was extreme, and this helped the clinician to question child abuse. Both children were abused by close relatives and were both neglected by the parents. The conflicting history from the guardians about the behaviour of both children and the extreme behaviour patterns made the clinician suspect child abuse. There was a marked change of behaviour when these minors were accompanied by their respective parents for the dental treatment. Child abuse requires a multidisciplinary approach to detect, diagnose and protect the minor. In this instance the parents were made aware of the possibilities of child abuse. Fortunately, they recognised the problems and therefore came to the assistance of the children whose behaviour transformed and were able to undergo dental treatment without any difficulties.

Child↗
PubMed1988

Oral findings in Fanconi's anemia. A case report.

A case of fanconi's anemia was referred to the Dental School from the Department of Pediatrics. The patient was a 24-year-old male and a product of a consanguineous marriage. His chief complaint was loose and falling teeth, which has started at the age of 16 years. The first teeth to fall out were the first permanent molars followed by mandibular and maxillary anteriors. General examination showed that the patient was of normal intelligence and small for his age. He had no palmar plantar hyperkeratosis and was not diabetic. A total of 19 teeth remained in the mouth, most of them with grade three mobility. The remaining molars and first maxillary premolars had grade three furcation involvement. Most of the teeth had periodontal pockets more than 10 mm deep. Full mouth intraoral periapical radiographs and orthopantomographic views showed severe horizontal bone loss uncommensurate with the patient's age. In view of the patient's history and severe bone loss at an early age, the diagnosis was juvenile periodontitis associated with Fanconi's anemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Simple defluoridation procedures for Kenyan borehole water.

Magnesium oxide and bone meal were used as chemical defluoridating agents to reduce excessive amounts of fluoride from artificial water samples which had been prepared to simulate Kenyan water samples with a fluoride concentration ranging from 1 to 9.3 ppm. The water filtrate from bone meal was clear and palatable. The filtrate from magnesium oxide was slightly slimy and cloudy, but palatable. Either of these chemical agents may be used in simple defluoridation procedures in rural and suburban areas using borehole water to reduce the excess fluoride in the water to beneficial non-toxic levels. Both magnesium oxide and bone meal are inexpensive chemicals and readily available in Kenya.

Biological Products↗
PubMed1986

Tensile bond strength of fluorosed Kenyan teeth using the acid etch technique.

Tensile bond strength tests were performed on 120 enamel specimens equally distributed over 'normal' American, 'normal' Kenyan and fluorosed Kenyan teeth. The mean tensile bond strength for American teeth was 59.08 +/- 15.81 kg/cm2, for normal Kenyan teeth 41.52 +/- 14.64 kg/cm2 and for fluorosed Kenyan teeth prior to removing the surface layer 49.20 +/- 17.67 kg/cm2. There was an increase in the adhesive bond strength for fluorosed teeth after first grinding and polishing with a green stone followed by pumice (58.84 +/- 20.65 kg/cm2). The coefficients of variation were 27% for fluorosed Kenyan teeth prior to grinding and 35% after grinding. The tested etching times varied from 60 to 150 s. The normal Kenyan teeth had the lowest tensile bond strength. This may have been due to the inability to etch adequately these teeth in 60 s. The increase in tensile bond strength indicates removal of the surface layer of fluorosed enamel by grinding then acid etching may improve the bond strength.

Acid Etching, Dental↗