title: Use of plants in oral health care by the population of Mahajanga, Madagascar.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of medicinal plants to address oral health problems is not well documented in Madagascar, yet the country is full of endemic flora. The aim of this study was to collect information on the use of plants in the region of Mahajanga, Madagascar, for the treatments of oral diseases mainly tooth decay.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ethnobotanical survey with respect to the use of plants for curing dental problems was carried out in 2012. A cluster sampling at three levels was applied when choosing the study sites. The target population was made up of heads of household. The following data were collected from a semi-structured questionnaire: name of plants, part used, mode of preparation, and administration. The Informant Consensus Factor and Fidelity Level indexes were calculated for each condition treated and used plants. The Results revealed that 93 per cent of the targeted population has used plants to calm dental pain, whereas 44.2% have reported using plants due to financial problems. About 65 species of plants are commonly used for oral health care and 63 of them treated caries. Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. was the most plant used. It was mostly used in crushed form of 5 to 9 leaves which were prepared and placed directly on the affected oral part or in the tooth cavity. In general, the treatment lasted about 5 days or minus. The ICF were 0.83 for caries and 0.81 for periodontal diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This ethnobotanical survey will serve as database for further phytochemical and pharmacological study of plants in order to identify their active components and advise the population on the most effective administration.
authors: Institut d'Odonto-Stomatologie Tropicale de Madagascar, Université de Mahajanga (Institute of Tropical Odontostomatology of Madagascar University of Mahajanga), PO Box 652, Madagascar. Electronic address: ranjaln401@gmail.com.
authors: Lala Nirina
authors: LN
authors: Ranjarisoa
authors: École Doctorale de Nutrition et de l'Environnement (Postgraduate Department of Nutrition and Environment), Université de Mahajanga, Madagascar.
authors: Noëline
authors: N
authors: Razanamihaja
authors: Laboratoire d'Évaluation Pharmaco-Clinique de l'Institut Malgache des Recherches Appliquées-Fondation Albert et Suzanne RAKOTO-RATSIMAMANGA (Pharmaco-Clinical Assessment Laboratory of the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research-Albert and Suzanne RAKOTO-RATSIMAMANGA Foundation), Antananarivo, Madagascar.
authors: Herintsoa
authors: H
authors: Rafatro
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008270:Madagascar; D009909:Oral Health; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
keywords: Ethnobotanical survey; Mahajanga; Medicinal plants; Oral care