IADR Abstract Archives
Baby Teeth Eruption: Indigenous Beliefs and Management Practices In parts of South Africa.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to document the beliefs and management practices of the baby teeth eruption in parts of South Africa.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among indigenous healers. Purposive sampled participants reflected different tribes, urban-rural and geographical spread. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews focused on the beliefs associated with baby teeth eruption pattern and management practices.
Results: It was revealed that in both rural and urban participants, and across all the Vhavenda, Tsonga, Bapedi and Shona indigenous healers, eruption of the upper front baby teeth before the lower front baby teeth was not recognized as normal process. It was associated with bad omens, evil spells, and signaling danger within the family. Wounds inflicted by these teeth on another child will result death. Consultation with indigenous healers was common to remove the teeth, prevent death and reverse the curse.
Conclusions: This study has highlighted specific areas for intervention in baby teeth eruption, indigenous beliefs and oral health education among the indigenous communalities in South Africa.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among indigenous healers. Purposive sampled participants reflected different tribes, urban-rural and geographical spread. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews focused on the beliefs associated with baby teeth eruption pattern and management practices.
Results: It was revealed that in both rural and urban participants, and across all the Vhavenda, Tsonga, Bapedi and Shona indigenous healers, eruption of the upper front baby teeth before the lower front baby teeth was not recognized as normal process. It was associated with bad omens, evil spells, and signaling danger within the family. Wounds inflicted by these teeth on another child will result death. Consultation with indigenous healers was common to remove the teeth, prevent death and reverse the curse.
Conclusions: This study has highlighted specific areas for intervention in baby teeth eruption, indigenous beliefs and oral health education among the indigenous communalities in South Africa.