Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
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Description of Infant Oral Mutilation
- Traditional healers diagnose tooth worms as the cause of illness in children.
- Tooth worms are identified as small, white, developing tooth buds.
- Healers use non-sterile tools, like bicycle spokes, to remove the tooth buds.
- The procedure is typically performed without local anesthesia.
- The excised tooth buds are shown to parents, resembling worms in appearance.
Harm caused by Infant Oral Mutilation
- The practice causes pain and suffering for sick or teething children.
- Unhygienic methods can lead to blood infections, tetanus, and the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
- In some cases, the procedure can be fatal during or after.
- Permanent tooth buds can be damaged or destroyed, leading to lifelong dental problems.
- Dental care providers may lack the knowledge and skills to manage the consequences of this procedure.
Geographic extent of Infant Oral Mutilation
- Infant oral mutilation has been observed in countries such as Chad, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
- It has also been observed in African immigrants now living in France, Israel, USA, Australia, Norway, New Zealand, and the UK.
- Published evidence supports the occurrence of infant oral mutilation in these regions.
- A literature analysis with full references is available online.
References
- Wordley, J (2003). Infant oral mutilation (PDF).
- Ellis, J.; Arubaku, W. (2005). Complications from traditional tooth extraction in South-western Uganda.
- Abusinna, I. (1979). Lugbara teeth germectomy of canines for the newborn babies. A magico-religious phenomena in some African tribes.
- Iriso, R.; Accorsi, S.; Akena, S.; Amone, J.; Fabiani, M.; Ferrarese, N.; Lukwiya, M.; Rosolen, T.; Declich, S. (2000). Killer canines: The morbidity and mortality of ebino in northern Uganda.
- Welbury, R.; Nunn, J.; Gordon, P.; Green-Abate, C. (1993). Killer canine removal and its sequelae in Addis Ababa.
External links
- Infant oral mutilation at the United Kingdom charity Dentaid (Medicine portal)
