Competency Assessment of Dental Officers in Managing Facial Fractures at General Hospitals in Kaduna State

Dental officers deployed to general hospitals in Nigeria's public health system are frequently the first clinically trained personnel to encounter patients with facial fractures. However, their competency in performing initial assessment, emergency stabilization, and appropriate referral for maxillofacial trauma is seldom formally evaluated. This descriptive cross-sectional study assesses the knowledge, practical skills, and decision-making competency of dental officers in managing facial fractures at general hospitals in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. Using a simulated clinical scenario approach combined with a validated knowledge questionnaire, 42 dental officers from 18 general hospitals were assessed. Competency domains evaluated include facial fracture recognition, airway management principles, wound care, referral criteria, and documentation. Results indicate that while most respondents demonstrated adequate theoretical knowledge of facial fracture classification, practical competency in emergency airway management was significantly deficient. Only 33% could correctly describe the modified jaw thrust maneuver, and documentation practices were inconsistent across facilities. Exposure to trauma cases was limited in many hospitals due to geographic remoteness from major accident roads. The study recommends structured continuing professional development (CPD) modules in maxillofacial trauma management for dental officers in Kaduna State, including simulation-based training and refresher courses offered through state dental associations and the Federal Ministry of Health. Keywords: competency, dental officers, facial fractures, Kaduna State, trauma management.