BackgroundNylon teeth myth is a belief of associating infant illnesses with bulges on infants’ alveolus that mark the positions of underlying developing teeth and that it is necessary to treat the condition mainly by traditional healers to prevent infant death. The traditional treatment often leads to serious complications that may lead to infant death. Although the government instituted educational campaigns against the myth in 1980s to 1990s, to date, repeated unpublished reports from different parts of the country indicate continued existence of the myth. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the current status of the nylon teeth myth in Tanzania.MethodsThe study population was obtained using the WHO Oral Health pathfinder methodology. A structured questionnaire inquired about socio-demographics as well as experiences with “nylon teeth” myth and its related practices. Odds ratios relating to knowledge and experience of the nylon teeth myth were estimated.ResultsA total of 1359 respondents aged 17 to 80 years participated in the study. 614 (45%) have heard of nylon teeth myth, of whom 46.1% believed that nylon teeth is a reality, and 42.7% reported existence of the myth at the time of study. Being residents in regions where nylon teeth myth was known before 1990 (OR = 8.39 (6.50–10.83), p < 0.001) and/or hospital worker (OR = 2.97 (1.99–4.42), p < 0.001) were associated with having have heard of nylon teeth myth. Proportionately more residents in regions where nylon teeth myth was not known before 1990 (p < 0.001), the educated (p < 0.001) and hospital workers (p < 0.001) believed modern medicine, whereas, proportionately more residents in regions where nylon teeth was known before 1990 (p < 0.001), less educated (p < 0.001) and non-hospital workers (p < 0.001) believed traditional medicine to be the best treatment for symptoms related to nylon teeth myth respectively.ConclusionThe “nylon teeth” myth still exists in Tanzania; a substantial proportion strongly believe in the myth and consider traditional medicine the best treatment of the myth related conditions.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12903-017-0462-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mwalutambi SC, Kikwilu EN. Patient satisfaction with oral health care among secondary school students in Manyoni town, Tanzania. Tanz Dent J 2009; 15 (2):30-36 Abstract Aim: To determine patient satisfaction with oral care among ordinary-level secondary school students in Manyoni town. Study Design: Cross sectional school-based study. Study participants and methods: 207 students aged 13-21 years old from all 4 ordinary-level secondary schools in Manyoni town who ever received oral care before filled in a self administered 4-point Likert's scale questionnaire on patient satisfaction. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 11.5. Chi-square test was used to determine the differences in the distribution of individuals over satisfaction scale. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results:Of 222 questionnaires distributed, 207 were returned (93.2% response rate). Overall 77.8% of the respondents were satisfied with oral care. Explanation of treatment, treatment received and cleanliness of clinic were the most satisfying aspects of oral care, while waiting time was the most dissatisfying aspect. Respondents whose parents were businessmen/women were more dissatisfied with explanation of treatment than respondents whose parents were peasants or employed (p = 0.02). Respondents who had received scaling were more dissatisfied with the cleanliness of the clinic (p < 0.0001); and cost of the treatment (p < 0.0001). Respondents who received tooth extraction were more satisfied with treatment received (p = 0.01) and reception (p < 0.05) than their counterparts who received scaling and or a restoration. Conclusion: Majority of secondary school students were satisfied with oral care. Respondents who had received periodontal treatment were more dissatisfied with oral care than those who had received tooth extraction or restoration.

Introduction: Odontogenic tumors which may be benign or malignant, constitute a group of heterogeneous lesions that are derived from the tooth-producing tissues or their remnants that are entrapped either within the jawbones or into the adjacent soft tissues. Aim of the study was to determine the pattern of occurrence and clinicopathological presentation of odontogenic tumors among patients attending the oral and maxillofacial unit at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania using 2005 WHO classification. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study that included patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors. Patients’ information was gathered using a structured questionnaire. Clinical and histological examination was done, and the findings were recorded in a specially designed form. Data was processed and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. Results: A total of 102 patients with histological diagnosis of odontogenic tumors comprising 52 (51%) males and 50 (49%) females, were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 34.07 ± 14.8 SD years and the most affected age group was 20-29 years. Majority 76 (74.5%) of the patients had odontogenic tumors comprised of odontogenic epithelium with mature fibrous stroma without odontogenic ectomesenchyme. Ameloblastoma was the most (65.7%) common odontogenic tumor followed by odontogenic myxoma/myxofibroma (5.9%) and Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor (5.9%). Conclusion: Generally, the sociodemographic distribution and frequency of occurrence, of odontogenic tumors seen in this study is similar to that reported in other African and Asian studies but differed with American and European studies. Ameloblastoma was the most common odontogenic tumor with a high propensity for the mandible compared to the maxilla.