Use of Traditional Dental Practitioners Among Rural Populations in Ebonyi State: Implications for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Traditional dental practitioners (TDPs) play a significant role in oral healthcare delivery in rural Nigeria, operating outside formal regulatory frameworks. Their practices, which include tooth extraction, application of herbal pastes, and uvulectomy, are associated with complications including jaw fractures, osteomyelitis, and deep space infections that ultimately present as surgical emergencies to tertiary hospitals. This descriptive cross-sectional study investigates the prevalence and patterns of traditional dental practice utilization among rural populations in Ebonyi State, South East geopolitical zone, and its implications for oral and maxillofacial surgical outcomes. Using a community-based survey design, 400 adults from four rural local government areas were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and focus group discussion guides. Results indicate that 62% of respondents had consulted a TDP at least once, predominantly for acute toothache, and 74% preferred TDPs as their first point of contact due to proximity and affordability. Complications reported after TDP encounters included painful jaw swelling, inability to open mouth, and persistent sores, many of which required hospital admission. Female respondents were slightly more likely to have utilized TDP services. The study calls for regulatory engagement of TDPs, community health education programs in local languages, and sustained outreach by formally trained dental professionals in rural Ebonyi State communities. Keywords: traditional dental practitioners, rural populations, Ebonyi State, complications, oral surgery.