Tapioca is a starch extracted from the root of the cassava plant (Manihot exculenta). Cooks and bakers rely on it for baking and for soup thickener but in dentistry the appropriate mixture in weight and volume of starch, water, glycerin and ethyl alcohol forms separating medium. A separating medium prevents direct contact between the denture based resin and the model surface. This study aimed at production of dental separating medium using tapioca extracted from Manihot exculenta in Enugu, Nigeria. The research was carried out between August and September, 2018 in Enugu, Nigeria. The study adopted a three phased experimental approach using the same procedures but different weight and volume compositions. Structured, pretested Product Evaluation Data Sheet was used to evaluate the product by selected Practicing Dental Technologists in Enugu State, Nigeria. The resultant separating medium from experiment III with the following composition: starch flour 1200g, glycerin 500ml, ethyl alcohol 500ml, colorant 500ml and 4000ml of distilled (hot and cold) water. There was significant agreement among the respondents in the flow ability of the product 8(40%); excellent product effectiveness 8 (40%); smoothness 8 (40%), and color stability of the product 10 (50%). These findings suggests that dental separating medium can be produced locally in Enugu, Nigeria. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid in the production process, which will facilitate easy practice of Dental Technology, and also conserve huge foreign exchange being spent in the importation of separating medium in Nigeria.

Early childhood education is critical in building civil, enlightened and developed society. It is therefore important to pay attention to issues that appears as impediment to realization of early inclusive childhood education. Studies have revealed several violence, discrimination and shocking social exclusion inside and outside of school for children with albinism. In fact, social workers, student counsellors, caregivers, teachers and educators have raised issues about schools in Africa, especially in Nigeria; is ill-equipped phase to accommodate children with albinism in classroom engagement when compare with schools in Asia and western settings. This article explored comparison of research and identified relevant prime enablers to promote all-inclusive approach that will aid learning for children with albinism in schools and homes aimed to encourage government and relevant stakeholders to take full advantage of various options at their disposal. This article identified seven potential prime enablers relevant to the subject matter: need for teacher of visually impaired, provision of functional visual assessment, engagement of optometrist, conducive classroom setting, training of parents and guardians, need for physical and health education, and political will or social support. This article concludes by addressing tasks to complement quality inclusive education and school experience to fulfil the needs of children with albinism. Further, it serves as a knowledge data bank to enable concerned social workers, caregivers, parents, teachers, agencies, stakeholders and researchers to use as inputs in providing a meaningful inclusive education experience for children with albinism.

Background: Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) seed oil is one of the neglected and underutilized seed oils in Nigeria. This study was aimed at evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of crude and degummed Citrullus lanatus seed oil (CLSO) in the treatment of oral candidiasis. Methods: In Vivo antifungal activity of the extracts was analyzed by microbiological and histopathological analyses, along with renal function tests at days 7 and 14 post infection treatments. The observations in the test animal groups were compared with that of control group treated with fluconazole. Results: Treatment with CLSO resulted in significant body weight loss. Also, there was a significant reduction in the kidney fungal burden (cfu/mL/g) of rats treated with CLSO after fourteen days post infection treatment, compared to group 3 (untreated control) rats. Histologically, group 3 (untreated) showed multifocal aggregation and widespread distribution of fungal blastospores appearing singly or in small clusters within the renal parenchyma when compared with CLSO-treated groups, which had minimal fungal blastospores that appeared singly in the renal tissues. Thus, histological data were corroborated with microbiological tests for crude and degummed CLSO, but not for the fluconazole-treated group which showed multifocal and widespread distribution of blastospores at day 14. Furthermore, within the CLSO treatment group, a significant increase in the (serum) levels of creatinine was observed, while no significant difference in blood urea values was recorded after day 14 post infection study. Histopathological alterations were mitigated to confirm the biochemical indices. Conclusion: CLSO could be considered as a potential antifungal agent especially the degummed CLSO, which also, improves the antifungal efficacy of the crude seed oil.

Aim: This study is aimed at ascertaining the level of knowledge and challenges associated with the practice of dental implants among dental practitioners in selected hospitals in South East, Nigeria. Study Design: the study employed cross sectional study design. Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out within six months (September 2018 to March 2019) in selected hospitals and clinics in South-East, Nigeria. Methodology: Data were collected using structural pretested questionnaire administered to 117 purposefully selected consenting respondents (Dental Professionals). Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS version 20. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance and data generated were subjected to percentage findings presented by the use of tables. Data collected were analyzed and discussed. Result: the result affirmed female respondents were more than male with 59.0%, indicating Dental Therapist as majority in proportion with 64%. On quality of implant shows 64.9% and 56.4% on comfort and function which indicates it as a good quality, 64.9% poor availability and 49.6% awareness and knowledge. While inferentially, using Pearson Chi-Square showed a significant relationship of 177.552; df = 16 @ P=0.05 between profession of respondents and knowledge of dental implant materials/devices types while using ANOVA showed a significant relationship with F =42.147; df =4 @ P=.05; knowledge of dental implant materials and assessment of dental implant to aesthetics on oral cavity, F =77.760; df =4 @ P=.05 and  knowledge of dental implant materials and assessment of dental implant to retention on oral cavity, F =54.985; df =4 @ P=.05. Conclusion: from the results obtained, accredited dental implant as an appliance capable of obviating most of dentures shortcomings which depends on contra-indication and indication of it, and its challenges in the profession. Although there are challenges associated with dental implant awareness and application in Nigeria. Recommendations and tips on successful further studies were given.

Dental inlay wax is a mixture of several waxes, usually containing paraffin wax, ceresin wax, beeswax and other natural and synthetic waxes. It is used to prepare patterns for gold or other metallic materials in the fabrication of inlays, crowns and bridges. Inlay wax is used for the same purpose as casting wax in the formation of pattern mostly for metallic casting in Dental technology. This study aimed at producing dental inlay wax using locally sourced materials in Enugu, Nigeria. The research was carried out between July to September, 2018 in Enugu, Nigeria. The study adopted a three phased experimental approach using the same procedures but different weight compositions. Structured, pretested Product Evaluation Data Sheet was used to evaluate the product by selected Practicing Dental Technologists in Enugu State, Nigeria. The resultant wax from experiment III with the following composition: 60g Paraffin wax, 5g Beeswax, 25g Carnauba wax, 10g Ceresin wax and (35g) of green ketchup colorant gave the best result. Its properties are comparable to the conventional Dental Inlay wax. There was significant agreement among the respondents in the smoothness of the product (40%); excellent dimensional stability and product effectiveness (40%); flow and burnout of the product (35%), and color stability of the product (45%). These findings suggests that dental inlay waxes can be produced locally in Enugu, Nigeria. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid in the production process, which will facilitate easy practice of Dental Technology, and also conserve huge foreign exchange being spent in the importation of inlay wax in Nigeria.