Traditional Practices
High risk of oral disease relates to poor living conditions, low education level and lack of traditions, beliefs and culture in support of oral health.
More than 80 percent of Africans rely on traditional medicine and indigenous knowledge to meet their health needs. This is due to the fact that traditional medicine is accessible, affordable, culturally and socially acceptable and most people prefer it to the ‘expensive’ conventional Western medicine.
Practices that have oral implications vary in different countries and regions so be aware of areas that need addressing in your own community.
INFANT ORAL MUTILATION
In some communities, a traditional healer will carry out this practice on infants (usually aged between 1 week – 6 months). It involves cutting the gums and then removing the canine tooth buds. The tonsils and adenoids are often removed at the same time. This practice is likely to be carried out using non-sterile instruments e.g. razor blade, weaving hook and carries a high risk of infection.
Childs primary canine tooth buds removed
What to look for
Various symptoms often occur after this procedure: fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, shallow rapid breathing and loss of appetite. White blisters can appear within the mouth due to dehydration. In addition to damaging the adult canine tooth buds, this practice can result in anaemia, septicaemia, cross infection spread, sometimes leading to death.
UNCLEAN INSTRUMENTS
Sinus and a infected incision made by a local ‘traditional healer’ at the angle of the mandible to relieve the swelling
Studies in developing countries indicate serious shortcomings with regard to infection prevention and control knowledge and education in oral health-care facilities. Whilst some local practitioners may be well meaning inappropriate surgical procedures may be undertaken with unclean instruments.
What to look for
- incisions on face and neck
- possible presence of sinus draining
Treatment
If infection is due to a tooth, then this needs extracting
TEETH SHARPENING
Tooth sharpening is the practice of manually sharpening the teeth for spiritual or aesthetic purposes. It is seen amongst some African communities, Mayans, Aborigines, Vietnamese, Sudanese and others.
What to look for
In some communities, healthy teeth may be engraved or even removed for cultural reasons.
Risk Factors
Economics – oral care treatment too costly and limited resources available in developing countries
Urbanisation – many rural areas have no access to oral care services
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