Cross-regional assessment of dental pathologies: Evidence for predicting oral health and intra-vitam stress among Ghanaian ancestors
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Date
2023
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Ethics, Medicine and Public Health
Abstract
Background and aim. — WHO’s definition of oral health extends beyond the state of the teeth
and dental pathologies. However, dental pathologies form a significant component of oral health
and impact a person’s quality of life. Thus, dental pathologies can elucidate intra-vitam oral
health and dietetics of ancient or contemporary populations. This paper aimed at predicting the
oral health and intra-vitam stress of past inhabitants across five regions in Ghana from dental
pathologies.
Method. — The study employed the mixed research approach involving standard anthropo logical observational scoring systems to examine five dental pathologies: caries, calculus,
abscess, enamel hypoplasia, and cementum hyperplasia. The scores were translated into absent
(0)/present (1) pathology categories and the frequency was calculated in an Excel sheet.
Results and discussion. — Dental pathologies constituted 60% of the total pathologies recorded
on human remains, with calculus being dominant (35%), followed by caries (30%), enamel
hypoplasia (21%), abscess (9%), and hypercementosis (7%). In general, the individuals from
Sekondi presented the highest percentage of dental pathologies, i.e., 69% caries, 66% calculus,
50% abscess, 44% enamel hypoplasia, and 5% hypercementosis. Begho and Yapei individuals had
equal percentages of abscesses, enamel hypoplasia, and calculus, while hypercementosis was
relatively low in all cases. More than one individual combined multiple dental pathologies, while
6 had none. Grounded on the high caries and calculus expression rates and their direct influ ence on other dental pathologies, the individual’s oral health could have been compromised by
dietary patterns, developmental factors, functional stress on the teeth, and inadequate oral
hygiene.
Conclusion. — The assessment of the dental pathologies of these Ghanaian ancestors offered
valuable insights into dietetics, oral health, and some intra-vitam developmental and functional
stress on the teeth.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Dental pathologies, Developmental and Functional stress, Dietetics, Oral health