Abstract

Sebudde Stephen

False teeth among children are a Public Health problem which has not received adequate attention in Uganda. This study was therefore developed as a community-based descriptive cross-sectional carried out in Kanungu District using qualitative methods of data collection among caregivers of children, Community Owned Resource Persons and Service providers. The objectives of the study were to examine family knowledge on false teeth, paying special attention to the age bracket which is perceived to be commonly affected by false teeth, signs and symptoms and identifying management practices as well as preventive measures of false teeth within this community. False teeth are a common problem among children mainly affecting children of two years old with no sex differences. It is believed to be caused by witchcraft and at times it comes on its own. This disease causes diarrhea, Acute Respiratory infection (ARI), fever and loss of appetite, restlessness and vomiting which are also believed to be key signs and symptoms for the disease. It seems there are no home remedies for the treatment of false teeth. “Oral/dental surgery” was identified as the common form of treatment of “false teeth and rubbing of teeth. The safety of the instruments used during surgery and their sterility plus the procedures used during surgery was not known to the participants. The side effects on the health of the child were identified which ranged from severe bleeding, distortion of dentition, to eruption of teeth. Preventive measures like the use of local herbs were identified. In conclusion, False teeth are still a community Oral Health problem among children which needs emergency action especially in this era of AIDS/HIV.