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A case of dental mutilation.

A L Erlandsson¹, B Bäckman

¹Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Umeå University, Sweden.

ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children

|October 26, 1999

Summary

Ritual tooth extraction in a young Ethiopian girl led to deformed permanent teeth due to damage to the developing tooth germs. This case highlights the severe dental consequences of traditional practices on child health.

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Area of Science:

Dentistry
Anthropology
Pediatrics

Background:

Traditional tribal customs can influence healthcare practices, sometimes with adverse outcomes.
Ritualistic tooth extraction is a practice documented in various cultures.

Observation:

A 14-year-old Ethiopian girl experienced stomach problems in childhood.
Tribal tradition attributed her illness to mandibular primary canines.

Findings:

Mandibular primary canines were extracted by a traditional healer.
The extraction procedure damaged the developing permanent tooth germs.
This resulted in malformed permanent canine teeth.

Implications:

This case represents the first documented instance of ritual dental mutilation in Ethiopia.
Such practices can lead to irreversible dental deformities in children.
Understanding cultural practices is crucial for pediatric dental care and prevention of harm.

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