Dentals mutilations practices and periodontal condition among the Baka Pygmies of Salapoumbé

Abstract

Introduction: Dental mutilation is a ritual practice that destroys the human body and is relatively little studied. The aim of our study was to assess the consequences of dental mutilations on oral health among indigenous peoples in the district of Salapoumbé.

Methodology: The study was descriptive cross-sectional from November to June 2020. It took place in the district of Salapoumbe on 367 participants using a questionnaire. Socio-demographic characteristics; the perception of dental mutilation, the motivations;
the practice of hygiene were studied. An oral examination by Baudouin's classification was performed; the condition of the periodontium and dental by the different indices. The analyses were carried out using version 23.0 of the SPSS software and Microsoft Excel 2013. The significance level was 0.05%.

Results: Of 367 participants, 213 (58%) were male, the mean age was 35.4±2.51 years. The most common types of dental mutilation were pointing (65%) and filing. Oral hygiene practices were poor for 64%. 82% of the subjects examined had moderate gingival
inflammation. The periodontal state was characterized by: 27.79% pain, 22.62% gingivorrhagia, 15.8% tooth mobility. 30.79% of people are mutilated because they are Baka.

Conclusion: Dental mutilation is painful. There is a significant association between dental mutilation and gingivorrhagia as well as between tooth mobility and age of mutilation.