Dental Fluorosis: A Problem of Public Health Strengthening Inequalities

Ariane NYA NANA, [Private consultant]
Marcel Nkoma, Ministry of Economy, Planning and regional develpment

Work carried out by the Global Water Partnership (Central Africa - Cameroon) in partnership with UNICEF has revealed a new public health problem in the Far North of Cameroon. The high concentration of fluoride of geological origin in groundwater leads to an irreversible disease with a strong social impact called dental fluorosis among the populations that consume it. The objective of this paper is to evaluate and explain the psychosocial impacts of dental fluorosis and to understand the differentiated effects for men and women. Through a qualitative survey conducted in 2019 by Global Water Partnership Cameroon, the results show that 500,000 Cameroonians in the Far North are now exposed to health risks related to the ingestion of too large quantities of fluoride. The psychosocial impacts of dental fluorosis are molded into the group's culture and the communities' perception of the "disease." Women are considered vectors and accused of transmitting the disease. Affected women find it difficult to marry because they are considered less beautiful than others, dirty and shameful in society. They have difficulties in accessing jobs, with aesthetic requirements.

Keywords: Gender Dynamics, Population and Development, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Human Capital, Education, and Work

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