Oral health among Liberian refugees in Ghana.
OBJECTIVE
To promote community involvement in the provision of oral health services.


METHODS
The project consisted of a four-week training course in oral health for selected refugees, an oral health survey based on WHO guidelines and conducted by the refugees themselves and the provision of oral health care services to the community by the trained refugees.


METHODS
Liberian refugee camp, Gomoa Buduburam in Ghana.


METHODS
Liberian refugees of all ages.


METHODS
Twelve refugees were given short term training in oral health. In the oral health survey, 196 refugees were clinically examined for dental caries, periodontal disease and malocclusion.


METHODS
DMFT (for dental caries), CPITN (for periodontal disease), and malocclusion scores for selected subjects. Also clinical services rendered.


RESULTS
Oral health survey revealed a mean age (+/- SD) of 25.7 (+/- 9.5) years. Only thirty nine (19.9%) of the subjects were caries-free, and total DMFT was 2.5 +/- 2.2. Based on the CPITN, 107 (54.6%) required oral hygiene instructions (OHI), and 41 (20.9%) required prophylactic scaling with OHI. Forty four (22.5%) of the subjects had normal occlusion and 152 (77.5%) mild to severe malocclusion. Periodontal (75.5%), prosthetic (52.5%) interventions and extractions (34.2%) constituted the bulk of the treatment needs required. Clinical treatment was rendered by the trained refugees to 846 patients over a twelve month period.


CONCLUSIONS
Relief programmes for refugees should emphasise a primary health care approach, focusing on prevention, based on appropriate technology, and promoting involvement by the refugee community in the provision of services.
Mickenautsch
S
S
Department of Community Dentistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Rudolph
M J
MJ
Ogunbodede
E O
EO
Chikte
U M
UM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003753:Dental Health Surveys; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007988:Liberia / Q000208:ethnology; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009909:Oral Health; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*