Oral Health Beliefs, Perceptions and Utilisation of Oral Health Care Services among the Indigenous People (Orang Asli) in Pahang, Malaysia: A Qualitative Study

@#Introduction: Orang Asli refers to the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia, representing 0.6% of the Malaysian population. Vast inequality was observed regarding oral health beliefs, behaviour, and utilisation of oral health services between the Orang Asli and non-Orang Asli. The aim of the study was to explore the oral health beliefs, perceptions, and oral health service utilization behaviour among Orang Asli in the district of Bera, Pahang, Malaysia. Methods: Orang Asli’s oral health beliefs and perceptions of oral healthcare service were ascertained through four FGDs. Nineteen participants from Bera’s semi-urban and rural Orang Asli communities were convened. Emerging themes from the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Orang Asli believed that oral health is essential for an individual’s function and aesthetics. They are also aware that inadequate oral hygiene care will result in tooth decay and gum disease. Most of the Orang Asli that chewed betel nuts believed that limestone paste could cause oral cancer. The main barriers to Orang Asli accessing oral healthcare services were time constraints and distance to the nearby clinic. Conclusion: The Orang Asli believed oral health care is essential in ensuring a healthy oral condition. Despite their generational belief towards traditional healers and medication, Orang Asli in Bera had a perceived positive acceptance towards oral healthcare services.

Calidad de vida y salud oral en unapoblación colombiana con labio y/opaladar fisurado / Quality of life and oral health in a colombian population with cleft lip and/or palate

Objetivo: describir la percepción de calidad de vida relacionada con salud oral en un grupo de población colombiana escolar con labio y/o paladar fisurado (LPF). Métodos: serealizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en 71 escolares y 53 padres/acudientes (rangode edad: 8-18 años, promedio: 12,5 años, DE: ± 3,21). Previa firma de consentimiento informado, se aplicaron los cuestionarios COHQoL 8-10 y COHQoL-padres, validados enpoblación canadiense, y traducidos al español para escolares colombianos. Clínicamente, se evaluó la presencia/ausencia de caries cavitacional, aparatología de tipo ortodóntico, fístulas residuales, lesiones de tejidos blandos y ausencias dentales. La información se organizó en una base de datos en Excel Microsoft Office® y se analizó descriptivamente con EPI-INFO-2000. Resultados: el 66,2% de los escolares presentaba fisura unilateral, yel 33,8%, fisura bilateral. El 58% exhibía dentición mixta, y el 42,3% dentición permanente. El 93% tenía aparatología y ausencias dentales; el 59,2%, fístulas residuales; el 14,1%,caries cavitacional, y el 11,3%, lesiones de tejidos blandos. Respecto a la percepción de su salud oral, el 76% de los encuestados creía que estaba bien/muy bien; el 56,3% nuncase sintió molesto a causa de sus dientes. En general, los padres calificaron la salud oral de sus hijos como buena. Conclusión: la percepción general de la calidad de vida del grupoestudiado, en relación con la salud oral y según el instrumento aplicado, reportada por los niños y padres, fue positiva. No se exploraron asociaciones estadísticas. Respecto al métodode recolección empleado, es necesario desarrollar un instrumento específico para LPH que permita entender el impacto de esta condición en el bienestar de las personas...

Objective: Describe quality-of-life perception regarding oral health in a group of Colombian schoolchildren with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP). Methods: A cross-sectional study with 71 students (age range 8-18 years old, mean 12.5 years, SD ± 3.21) and 53 parents/caregivers was conducted. After obtaining signed informed consent, a Spanish version of the Child Oral Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire COHQoL 8-10 and COHQoL-parents (validated in Canadian population) was used. Presence of dental cavities, orthodontic appliances, residualfistulas, soft tissue lesions and missed teeth were reviewed through clinical inspection. Data were organized in an Excel Microsoft Office® database and analyzed descriptively through the EPI-INFO-2000. Results: 66.2% of schoolchildren had unilateral CLP and 33.8% had bilateral CLP. 58% were in the period of mixed dentition and 42.3% had permanent dentition. 93% had orthodontic appliances and missing teeth, 59.2% residual fistulas,14.1% dental cavities, and 11.3% soft tissue lesions. Regarding the oral health perception, 76% interviewees thought they had good/very good oral health status; 56.3% was neverbothered with dental issues. In general, parents thought their children’s oral health was good. Conclusion: Children and parents’ general perception of their quality of life regarding oral health status, according to the questionnaire used, was positive. No inferential statisticalanalysis was carried out. Regarding the data collection method used, it is necessary to develop a more specific instrument for CLP, in order to understand the impact of thiscondition in peoples’ wellbeing...