Exploring the Implications of Cultural Dental Mutilation on Periodontal Health: A Study on Mentawai Women's Traditional Teeth Sharpening

Abstract

Teeth sharpening is a part of the Mentawai tribe’s rich cultural legacy and is done by women upon reaching adulthood in Indonesia. However, it has been linked to negative impacts on oral health, particularly in the periodontal tissues. This paper studied the periodontal tissues of Mentawai women who have undergone teeth sharpening, considering potential specific implications. Employing a descriptive approach, this cross-sectional study was conducted across four villages in Mentawai Island, Indonesia. Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHIS) and the Gingival Index (GI) were used to assess the periodontal status of eight Mentawai women who had undergone teeth sharpening. The study revealed a notable absence of optimal periodontal tissue health among respondents with suboptimal oral hygiene practices (OHIS score 3.4) and considerable gingival inflammation (GI score 2.2). The presence of supragingival and infragingival calculus, alongside visible stains across the teeth of Mentawai women were due inadequate of oral health care behavior. In addition, the findings underscore the intricate interplay between cultural practices and gender-specific health outcomes. A deeper understanding of health behaviors, as influenced by culture, health beliefs, acculturation, and attitudes, is needed to formulate appropriate oral health promotion policies. A gender-informed perspective will encourage a broader dialogue about preserving cultural heritage as well as empowering the role of women in their family and community on oral health improvement. The implementation of this analysis would be developing the best strategy for modifying this custom in order to keep it while preserving oral health. Keywords: Cultural dental mutilation; Periodontal health; Mentawaians Women; Sharpening Teeth Tradition