ArticleBMC pediatrics2019
Oral diseases and oral health related behaviors in adolescents living in Maasai population areas of Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC pediatrics, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 24 citations in OpenAlex.
- Prevalence and Risk of Dental Erosion Linked to Carbonated Drinks in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Oral health & preventive dentistry · 2026Pooled it
- Prevalence of Dental Caries and Associated Factors in East Africa, 2000-2020: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Frontiers in public health · 2021Pooled it
- Oral Health Conditions and Quality of Life Among Schoolchildren in Rural Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Food Insecurity and Associated Factors Among Adolescents from Inland Northeast Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025Article
- Bone disease and oromaxillofacial disorders: a cross- sectional study in a Tanzanian pediatric population.Orphanet journal of rare diseases · 2025Article
- Oral health knowledge among primary school adolescents: A cross-sectional study from Maasai populated areas in Tanzania.PLOS global public health · 2025Article
- Oral Health in Tanzania: Unmasking Its Neglected Dimension.Public health challenges · 2024Article
- Association between high birth weight and dental caries at 4-5 years of age: a birth-cohort study.BMC oral health · 2024Article
- Worldwide Variations in Fluoride Content in Beverages for Infants.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- Dental Caries Pattern Amongst Tanzanian Children: National Oral Health Survey.International dental journal · 2023Article
- Oral Health Survey in Burundi; Evaluation of the Caries Experience in Schoolchildren Using the DMFT Index.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2023Article
- Saliva microbiome alterations in dental fluorosis population.Journal of oral microbiology · 2023Article
- Dental caries and associated factors among patients visiting Shashamane Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.PloS one · 2022Article
- The Prevalence of Erosive Tooth Wear and Related Risk Factors in 6- to 12-Year-Old Students.Oral health & preventive dentistry · 2021Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundOral diseases, such as dental caries, tooth wear, dental erosion and periodontal diseases are major health problems in many societies. The study aim was to explore the association between oral health related behaviors and the presence of oral diseases in adolescents living in Maasai population areas in the northern part of Tanzania.
methodsA cross sectional study was conducted in 2016 using one stage cluster sample design. A total of 989 adolescents were invited and 906 (91.6%; (Maasais n = 721, non Maasais n = 185) accepted the invitation and completed an interview and clinical oral examination in a school setting (mean age 13.4 years, SD 1.2, range 12-17 years). Chi-square test, bivariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to analyze data.
resultsLogistic regression revealed that: adolescents with low frequency of tooth cleaning (OR = 10.0, CI 4.3-20.0) was associated with poor oral hygiene and that more regular tooth cleaning (OR = 0.1, CI 0.04-0.14) and the use of plastic type of tooth brush (OR = 0.7, CI 0.53-0.99) were associated with less gingival bleeding. High consumption of biscuits (OR = 2.5, CI 1.7-3.8) was associated with presence of dental caries and the use of magadi (OR = 24.2, CI 11.6-50.6) as a food additive was the covariate for more severe dental fluorosis (TF grade 5-9). Regular intake of carbonated soft drinks (OR = 1.6, CI 1.1-2.5) and regular tooth cleaning (OR = 1.7, CI 1.1-2.6) were independently associated with dental erosion. Using teeth as a tool for: biting nails (OR = 1.9, CI 1.4-2.4), opening soda (OR = 1.8, CI 1.4-2.4) and holding needles (OR = 1.6, CI 1.3-2.1) were covariates for tooth wear. Adolescents who reported to clench/grind their teeth (OR = 2.3, CI 1.5-3.7) was the only covariate for TMD. In several of the investigated factors, there were significant differences between the Maasai and non Maasai ethnic groups.
conclusionOral health related behaviors have a significant impact on oral diseases/conditions among adolescents attending primary schools in Maasai population areas with obvious differences in behavior between the Maasai and non Maasai ethnic groups. There is a need for addressing oral health and to encourage behaviors that promote good oral health and dental care service utilization in this society.
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