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- Title
Perceptions of adolescents and young people regarding endemic dental fluorosis in a rural area of Brazil: psychosocial suffering.
- Authors
Silva de Castilho, Lia; Ferreira e Ferreira, Efigênia; Perini, Edson
- Abstract
Severe dental fluorosis is endemic in some rural areas of Brazil. This paper describes the psychosocial consequences of this condition and how it has affected the self-esteem of adolescents and young people in a rural area in Brazil. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were carried out with 23 adolescents and young people affected by severe dental fluorosis and 14 of their teachers. The study revealed the affected individuals were embarrassed to smile at strangers due to a presumed association between fluorosis and a lack of dental hygiene. Further findings include conflicts between affected and non-affected students at school, problems in pursuing a romantic relationship and uncertainties regarding a professional future. Disbelief and scepticism were observed regarding the ethical position that science can offer a solution to the problems stemming from the disease. Lesions from severe dental fluorosis appear to be a stigmatising factor and have contributed toward suffering and self-exclusion among an entire generation of adolescents and young people.
- Subjects
BRAZIL; FLUOROSIS; SELF-esteem in young adults; SELF-esteem in adolescence; DENTAL pathology; DENTAL hygiene
- Publication
Health & Social Care in the Community, 2009, Vol 17, Issue 6, p557
- ISSN
0966-0410
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2524.2009.00859.x