Cultural diversity of traditions for the disposal of exfoliated teeth: Implications for researchers

IF 1.8 3区医学 Q2 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE

Community dentistry and oral epidemiology Pub Date : 2024-01-12 DOI:10.1111/cdoe.12928

Clara L. B. Parsons, Rebecca V. Mountain, Kristina Jacobsson, Felicitas B. Bidlack, Lisa Soleymani Lehmann, Erin C. Dunn

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

For decades, researchers in anthropology and archaeology have used teeth, including exfoliated primary teeth, as fossil records of people's physical life experiences. Recently, researchers in psychiatry, epidemiology, environmental health and other fields have recognized the potential for teeth to serve as biomarkers of other early-life experiences, including trauma exposure and other types of psychosocial stress, which are potent determinants of later mental and physical health problems. Despite the emerging appreciation and value of teeth as biospecimens, little is understood about cultural beliefs and practices surrounding exfoliated teeth. If known, such insights could inform culturally appropriate practices for paediatric dental care and improve protocols for the ethical acquisition of teeth as biospecimens in research studies. To address this gap, a qualitative systematic review was performed to summarize the variety of traditions performed worldwide for disposing of primary exfoliated teeth.

Methods

PubMed, Google Scholar, AnthroSource, Anthropological Literature, EHRAF World Cultures and Anthropology Plus were searched with a systematic search strategy to identify articles published from inception through December 2, 2021. Citations of relevant papers were also forward and backward searched.

Results

There were 3289 articles that met the initial inclusion criteria, of which 37 were included after individual screening and applying exclusion criteria. Thematic analysis was used to identify 74 distinct traditions related to the disposal of exfoliated teeth, which were organized into seven general themes: (1) giving teeth to a tooth fairy, (2) giving teeth to mouse figures, (3) throwing teeth, (4) hiding/keeping teeth, (5) burying teeth, (6) giving teeth to animals and (7) eating the tooth.

Conclusions

The results of this study elucidate the diversity within—yet universality of—exfoliated tooth disposal traditions and underscore the importance of tooth exfoliation as a major milestone during child development. Special attention must be paid to these traditions and related ethical concerns when designing research protocols related to their collection. With a greater understanding of beliefs and practices related to exfoliated teeth, researchers will be better equipped to engage children and families in studies that include analyses of exfoliated teeth, collect teeth as biospecimens, and broaden the use of teeth in research.

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处理脱落牙齿传统的文化多样性：对研究人员的启示。

研究目的数十年来，人类学和考古学研究人员一直使用牙齿（包括脱落的基牙）作为人们实际生活经历的化石记录。最近，精神病学、流行病学、环境健康和其他领域的研究人员认识到，牙齿有可能成为其他早期生活经历的生物标志物，包括创伤暴露和其他类型的社会心理压力，这些都是日后心理和身体健康问题的有力决定因素。尽管人们开始重视牙齿作为生物样本的价值，但对围绕脱落牙齿的文化信仰和习俗却知之甚少。如果了解了这些情况，就能为儿科牙科护理提供文化上适当的做法，并改进研究中以合乎道德的方式获取牙齿作为生物样本的规程。为了填补这一空白，我们进行了一项定性系统综述，总结了世界各地处理原生脱落牙齿的各种传统：方法：采用系统性检索策略对 PubMed、谷歌学术、AnthroSource、人类学文献、ERHRAF 世界文化和 Anthropology Plus 进行检索，以确定从开始到 2021 年 12 月 2 日发表的文章。此外，还对相关论文的引文进行了正向和反向检索：共有 3289 篇文章符合最初的纳入标准，其中 37 篇在经过单独筛选并应用排除标准后被纳入。通过主题分析，确定了 74 种与处理脱落牙齿有关的不同传统，并将其归纳为 7 个一般主题：(1) 将牙齿送给牙仙；(2) 将牙齿送给老鼠；(3) 扔掉牙齿；(4) 藏匿/保存牙齿；(5) 埋葬牙齿；(6) 将牙齿送给动物；(7) 吃掉牙齿：这项研究的结果阐明了剥落牙齿处理传统的多样性和普遍性，并强调了牙齿剥落作为儿童成长过程中一个重要里程碑的重要性。在设计与收集脱落牙齿相关的研究方案时，必须特别关注这些传统和相关的伦理问题。随着对脱落牙齿相关信仰和习俗的进一步了解，研究人员将能够更好地让儿童和家庭参与到包括脱落牙齿分析的研究中，收集牙齿作为生物样本，并扩大牙齿在研究中的应用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Community dentistry and oral epidemiology 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

8.70%

发文量

审稿时长

6 months

期刊介绍： The aim of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology is to serve as a forum for scientifically based information in community dentistry, with the intention of continually expanding the knowledge base in the field. The scope is therefore broad, ranging from original studies in epidemiology, behavioral sciences related to dentistry, and health services research through to methodological reports in program planning, implementation and evaluation. Reports dealing with people of all age groups are welcome. The journal encourages manuscripts which present methodologically detailed scientific research findings from original data collection or analysis of existing databases. Preference is given to new findings. Confirmations of previous findings can be of value, but the journal seeks to avoid needless repetition. It also encourages thoughtful, provocative commentaries on subjects ranging from research methods to public policies. Purely descriptive reports are not encouraged, nor are behavioral science reports with only marginal application to dentistry. The journal is published bimonthly.