Cultural and Personal Practices with Unusual Oral Findings: Three Case Reports and a Literature Review

• Main Authors: Al-Turck KMA, Aldosary S, Alrabiah R, Albusayes R, Alnamlah S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-08-01
• Series: Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry
• Subjects: traditional practice; uvulectomy; gingival tattoo; chemical burns
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/cultural-and-personal-practices-with-unusual-oral-findings-three-case--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCIDE
• ISSN: 1179-1357

Kawkab MA Al-Turck,1 Sara Aldosary,1 Reem Alrabiah,1 Riham Albusayes,2 Sarah Alnamlah2 1Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Sarah AlnamlahCollege of Dentistry, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 60169, Riyadh, 11545, Saudi ArabiaTel [phone]Email [e-mail]: Due to increased migration, dentists are encountering patients with varied cultural practices. The main aim of this study was to report three cases in which cultural/individual oral practices appeared to be suggestive of disease, leading to initial misdiagnoses. We describe the case findings of three individuals treated at the Oral Diagnosis Clinic at the College of Dentistry at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In two cases, the patients presented with a missing uvula and dark maxillary gingiva. The initial diagnoses in both cases were incorrect. Further questioning revealed that the individuals had gingival tattoos and uvulectomies performed for traditional reasons. The patient in the third case presented with a diffuse red and white bilateral lesion on the buccal mucosa. The initial diagnosis was possible speckled leukoplakia. Upon further questioning, a definitive diagnosis of a chemical burn from a coarse salt mouth rinse due to personal oral practices was made. A literature review of these cultural practices is included. Our case report findings and the literature review highlight the need to consider cultural practices that can affect oral health and cause unusual oral findings when recording medical histories. Increasing awareness regarding these practices may help dentists provide appropriate treatment plans and reduce misdiagnoses. Furthermore, by understanding cultural practices, dentists may educate their patients about the harmful effects of some of these traditions.Keywords: traditional practice, uvulectomy, gingival tattoo, chemical burns