Cross-regional assessment of dental pathologies: Evidence for predicting oral health and intra-vitam stress among Ghanaian ancestors

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 anthropological 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 influence 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.