title: Analysis of Nigerian dentists' opinion and consequences on expanded function dental auxiliaries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine Nigerian dentists' opinion on expanded function dental auxiliaries.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study of Nigerian dentists attending a dental conference was conducting in 2012 using self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.0. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the 82 dentists that participated in this study were male, aged 31-40 years, either specialist or specializing (residents), practiced for < 10 years, teaching hospital and urban practitioners. Of the participants, 22 (26.8%) reported favorable opinion towards expanded duty dental auxiliaries. The mean scores on consequences, of expanded function dental auxiliaries ranked redundancy of dentist as highest. Males and non-specialist significantly reported expanded function dental auxiliaries would lead to redundancy of dentists. Practitioners working in other hospitals other than teaching hospital significantly reported that appropriate legislation are necessary before expansion of duties of the dental auxiliaries can be done. The dentists with favorable opinion significantly reported that expanded duty dental auxiliaries would not cause redundancy of dentist and the task are not too difficult for dental auxiliaries with necessary training but will increase service delivery and efficiency, increase job satisfaction, lead to dental auxiliary specialization with legislation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data from this study revealed overall unfavorable opinion of Nigerian dentists on the expanded duty dental auxiliaries. However, those with favorable opinion were significantly supportive of expanded function dental auxiliaries. This information would serve as a useful tool for Nigerian oral healthcare policy formulators.
authors.forename: A U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Umanah
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Azodo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D032022:Delegation, Professional / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003727:Dental Auxiliaries / Q000193:education / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003729:Dental Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration; D003798:Dental Staff, Hospital; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011364:Professional Practice; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D013039:Specialties, Dental; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult