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Missing front teeth in exile Tamils--an unresolved phenomenon
1Gesundheitsamt der Stadt Wuppertal, Germany.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Refugees from Sri Lanka showed significantly higher rates of isolated front tooth gaps compared to other asylum seekers. The cause of this tooth loss is unclear, prompting investigation into non-medical factors.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Anthropology
Background:
- A study examined 263 Sri Lankan refugees seeking asylum in Germany between 1986-1995.
- High prevalence of isolated front tooth gaps was noted in this group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the unexplained high incidence of isolated front tooth gaps among Sri Lankan refugees.
- To explore potential non-medical etiologies for tooth loss in this population.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination and X-ray analysis of 263 Sri Lankan asylum seekers.
- Comparison with a control group of non-Sri Lankan asylum seekers.
- Assessment of patient-reported medical histories against clinical findings.
Main Results:
- Over 60% of Sri Lankan patients presented with isolated front tooth gaps.
- This incidence was significantly higher than in the control group and reported literature on traumatic tooth loss.
- Discrepancies were observed between patient histories and clinical/X-ray evidence.
Conclusions:
- Medical and dental causes for tooth loss in this cohort appear unlikely.
- Social, cultural, or religious factors are proposed as potential explanations for the observed tooth gaps.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the etiology of tooth loss in Sri Lankan refugees.