Epidemiological analysis and need for endodontic treatment among the indigenous Sateré-Mawé and Tikuna

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiological profile of oral health of Sateré-Mawé indigenous people living in Barreirinha, Amazonas (AM), Brazil, and the Tikuna indigenous people living in the urban area of Manaus (AM), in addition to characterizing the need for endodontic treatment between the two ethnic groups. A total of 138 individuals participated in the study, of whom 98 were Tikuna and 40 were Sateré-Mawé; they were distributed in age groups ranging from seven to 75 years. A very high prevalence of caries was observed in both ethnic groups. For the Sateré-Mawé in the 7-12 age group, the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index presented a mean value of 3.17. Comparing the DMFT index and the need for endodontic treatment in each of the ethnicities, these variables were found to be correlated, because as the DMFT index increases, the chances of needing endodontic treatment increase. The Sateré-Mawé presented a higher prevalence of need for endodontic treatment compared to the Tikuna. The association of comorbidities and the need for endodontic treatment were demonstrated only in the Tikuna, and there was only a correlation of this necessity with the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in one case. The need to expand access to oral health in these communities is emphasized, taking into account geographical access and technological, environmental, linguistic, and cultural barriers.

Epidemiological profile of caries and need for dental extraction in a Kaingang adult Indigenous population

“…The severity of dental caries observed in this study, expressed by the DMFT index, is close to the mean scores reported to the Indigenous peoples Guarani (13.9) and Xavante (14.25) in the 35-44 age bracket 17,18 . A study conducted with Sateré-Mawé and Tikuna Indigenous peoples from Brazil observed mean DMFT of 13.4 for adults aged 40 to 49 years old 11 . Higher DMFT scores were previously described among the Potiguara (16.43), Indigenous adults from the Xingu National Park (20.2), and non-Indigenous adults in Brazil (16.75) 12,19,20 .…”

“…Data from the 2010 National Oral Health Survey shows that Brazilian urban Indigenous adults present a mean Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth (DMFT) index of 17.1, similar to the non-indigenous urban population (16.9) 10 . Nevertheless, recent studies conducted with Indigenous adults living in traditional territories demonstrate a rather heterogeneous situation, with DMFT ranging from 13.4 to 20.2 11,12 . Additionally, vulnerable groups tend to be significantly affected by tooth loss, a strong manifestation of oral health inequalities 13,14 .…”

The association between nutritional status and dental caries in low‐income children: A multilevel analysis

“…On the other hand, indigenous and black children showed significant more untreated dental caries than white children, which is in accordance with the less favourable reality faced by the black and indigenous communities living in urban areas that face cultural barriers to access dental treatment and still presents low educational level. 29 Due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, a causal relationship between the variables cannot be established and the interpretation of the observed associations must rely on assumptions informed by the theoretical model. Although a significant association between underweight nutritional status and dental caries was shown, it was not possible to clarify the direction of this association.…”

“…In fact, in this population caregiver's schooling was linearly associated with children's good oral health. On the other hand, indigenous and black children showed significant more untreated dental caries than white children, which is in accordance with the less favourable reality faced by the black and indigenous communities living in urban areas that face cultural barriers to access dental treatment and still presents low educational level …”

Prevalence of root canal treatment worldwide: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…In short, the data on the prevalence of RFT differs from one study to another, reflecting the differences in the needs and availability of RCT in different countries and populations (Caires et al, 2018 ; Connert et al, 2019 ), as well as the different impact of the new diagnostic and therapeutic trends in the management of deep carious lesions and pulpitis (Crespo‐Gallardo et al, 2019 ; Edwards et al, 2021 ; Wolters et al, 2017 ). Knowing the prevalence of RFT in the worldwide will allow dentists and policy makers to evaluate the impact that RCT has on the world population.…”