Traditional oral health beliefs and practices of Bulang people in Yunnan, China.

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  • Author(s): Zhang S;Zhang S; Lo ECM; Lo ECM; Chu CH; Chu CH
  • Source:
    Journal of investigative and clinical dentistry [J Investig Clin Dent] 2018 Feb; Vol. 9 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Jul 07.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Country of Publication: Australia NLM ID: 101524471 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2041-1626 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20411618 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Investig Clin Dent Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: Richmond, Vic : Wiley-Blackwell, 2010-2019
    • Subject Terms:
      Culture* ; Oral Health*; Dental Caries/*psychology ; Ethnicity/*statistics & numerical data ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice/*ethnology ; Minority Groups/*statistics & numerical data; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Attitude to Health ; China/ethnology ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status ; Middle Aged ; Sex Factors ; Social Behavior ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Toothache
    • Abstract:
      Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore traditional oral health beliefs among the Bulang ethnic minority group in China.
      Methods: Eighteen village leaders, chiefs, elders, and seniors in Yunnan, China were assigned to three focus groups for discussion of traditional oral health beliefs. The discussions were led by a facilitator. Transcripts were made, and data were extracted.
      Results: The focus group discussions on traditional oral health beliefs addressed three themes: (a) the perception of oral health; (b) the impact of healthy teeth (oral health), in that healthy teeth essentially have an impact on physical health, emotions, and social status; and (c) toothache management, which was regarded as tooth decay (dental caries). Blackening teeth was a pain relief method. Blackened teeth were reported to be part of ethnic identity, and considered esthetically pleasing. It also indicated the marital status of women.
      Conclusion: Some Bulang people believed that healthy dentition has no spacing, pain, or functioning problems. Well-aligned dentition was associated with higher social status. Toothaches were considered to be caused by tooth worms. Consulting a monk was another way to manage a toothache. Tooth blackening was considered traditional, and effective for caries prevention.
      (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: China; caries; health belief; health practice; minority
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20170708 Date Completed: 20180917 Latest Revision: 20211204
    • Publication Date:
      20221213
    • Accession Number:
      10.1111/jicd.12281
    • Accession Number:
      28685949