Oral diseases and problems, and oral impacts on daily performances among adolescents living in Maasai populated areas in Tanzania

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to assess prevalence/frequency and socio-behavioral distribution of oral diseases/problems and their oral quality of life consequences according to Maasai and non-Maasai ethnic groups. Methods: All adolescents in the selected classes from 23 randomly selected schools were invited to participate in an interview and clinical oral examination. Results: The observed prevalence in percentage of different oral diseases/problems among adolescents was 65.6, 40.9, 8.8, 48.6, 1.9, 16.5 and 11.8 for poor oral hygiene, gingival bleeding, dental caries (DMFT>0), severe dental fluorosis (TF grade 5-9), dental erosion into dentin, tooth wear into dentin and Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), respectively. The prevalence of Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP>0) was (15.8%). From multiple variable analyses, adolescents from Longido and girls were more likely to present good oral hygiene (p<0.05). Males and adolescents from Maasais presented more gingival bleeding than females and adolescents from non-Maasais (p<0.05). Age and non-Maasai ethnic group were associated with DMFT>0 (p<0.05). Dental erosion was more common among non-Maasais (p<0.05). Regular tooth cleaning was associated with less gingival bleeding (p<0.05). Severe dental fluorosis was associated with the use of magadi in food (p<0.05). Clenching/grinding teeth was the only covariate for TMD (p<0.05). Regarding OIDP, adolescents from Longido district and adolescents with good oral hygiene were less likely to report OIDP>0, but non-Maasai, those with DMFT>0 and 2Q/TMD>0 were more likely to report OIDP>0 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Among the study participants, the most common findings were gingival bleeding, dental fluorosis, tooth wear and TMD, less common findings were dental caries and dental erosion. The prevalence of oral impacts was moderate. This study confirmed socioeconomic and oral clinical disparities in OIDP. These results are important for public oral health decision makers in Tanzania.