Professional Assessment of Orthodontic Service Capacity at State Hospitals in Imo State

Orthodontic services are largely concentrated in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, and assessing state hospital capacity in Imo State provides evidence for decentralising orthodontic care to the secondary level. This study professionally assessed orthodontic service capacity across secondary-level state general hospitals in Imo State, South East Nigeria. A structured capacity assessment was conducted at all seven state general hospitals with dental departments (Owerri, Orlu, Okigwe, Okpala, Oguta, Ihiala, and Mbaitoli). Assessment dimensions covered orthodontic specialist availability, orthodontic equipment and material supply, patient referral volumes, treatment waiting list length, and continuing education access for dental officers. Results showed that only one of seven hospitals had a qualified orthodontist. Fixed orthodontic materials were available in four hospitals but were self-purchased by patients in all cases. Digital impressions and CBCT were unavailable at all state hospital sites. Annual referral to tertiary institutions for orthodontic assessment was estimated at 340 cases. The mean orthodontic treatment waiting time at the one functional unit was 14 months. Dental officers desired orthodontic training but had limited CPD access. The study identifies a critical orthodontic services gap at state hospital level in Imo State. Recommendations include a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Orthodontics training pathway for Imo State general dental officers, equipment grant from state Ministry of Health for three designated orthodontic units, and a structured referral pathway from PHC to secondary and tertiary orthodontic services.

Keywords: orthodontic service capacity, state hospitals, Imo State, secondary dental care, orthodontic access