Oral-health beliefs and practices of Bulang people: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: To explore traditional oral health beliefs and oral health practice among Bulang people, an ethnic minority group who lives in remote villages in Southwest China which is known to have black teeth. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with ethics approval in 2013 in Yunnan, China where most Bulang people live. The study used a community based participatory method to collect the needed information. Village leaders, chiefs, elders and senior people were invited for a focus group discussion. Questions on traditional oral health beliefs, oral hygiene practice, and traditional therapeutic methods for tackling dental problems were asked. The discussions were video-recorded, transcripts made, and data were extracted. The focus group discussions were repeated in different villages until there was data saturation, i.e. no new information was found.

Results: Three focus group discussions with 18 Bulang participants were conducted. They believed their dentition was good if there was no spacing and no pain. They cleaned their teeth with bamboo slice with a roughen surface and by gargling with water. They did not chew betel-nut but believed that chewing bolus which comprised of bark, leaves, tobacco and lime could prevent tooth decay (caries). They put soot on the surface of their teeth regularly in the belief that this would prevent caries and promote dental health. Though this would blacken their teeth, they did not consider this as esthetically unpleasing. When they had caries or toothache, they would topically applied paste made of tobacco debris, beeswax and herbs. They would also take medication with salt, ginger and herbs.

Conclusion: The teeth of the Bulang people appear black because they put soot on their teeth regularly for promoting dental health. They believe that having healthy teeth is very important and a black dentition is not unpleasing.