Tooth wear among the indigenous Dayak Kenyah of Sungai Bawang village, East Kalimantan, Indonesia: a forensic anthropological perspective

Abstract

Abstract

In forensic anthropology, tooth wear is a critical indicator of diet, age, and cultural habits. The Dayak Kenyah population is primarily involved in hunting and shifting cultivation. However, in this study population, they currently reside close to urban areas. Understanding the effects of modernization, especially regarding dietary changes, can be achieved by clinically observing tooth wear among indigenous populations. This study investigated clinical dental wear in the modern-day Dayak Kenyah population, focusing on incisal and occlusal surfaces and their correlations with age and sex. Most individuals reported mild to moderate tooth wear. The incisal teeth exhibited higher wear than the occlusal teeth. Age and tooth wear were positively related, and no significant differences were observed between men and women. Modern lifestyles may influence the diet that could affect tooth wear, despite the traditional ways such as hunting and shifting cultivation. These findings reveal that cultural and diet changes affect tooth wear in indigenous populations.

Keywords: Tooth wear, Dayak Kenyah, Indigenous people, dental anthropology, forensic anthropology