A população indígena brasileira compreende mais de 900 mil indivíduos distribuídos por todos os estados da Federação. Diversos estudos têm apontado para a deterioração da saúde bucal dos povos indígenas ao longo das últimas décadas, embora dados epidemiológicos ainda sejam escassos. A transição para um modelo alimentar baseado em uma dieta rica em gorduras, açúcares e alimentos refinados tem sido indicada como um fator contribuinte para o desenvolvimento de doenças como a obesidade e a cárie dentária em diferentes populações. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o perfil epidemiológico de saúde bucal da população indígena adulta residente na Terra Indígena Guarita, bem como investigar aspectos subjetivos e determinantes sociais relacionados. Buscou-se, ainda, analisar a experiência de cárie dentária nos povos indígenas da América do Sul. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura e meta-análise referente à severidade de cárie dentária em povos indígenas que habitam países sul-americanos. Além disso, foram conduzidos grupos focais com as etnias Kaingang e Guarani da Terra Indígena Guarita. Os dados produzidos foram analisados por meio da metodologia Grounded-Theory e interpretados a partir da teoria do sociólogo Pierre Bourdieu. Adultos com idade entre 35 e 44 anos de ambas as etnias foram examinados em relação à experiência de cárie, necessidade de tratamento, e uso e necessidade de prótese dentária. Participantes responderam a Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar, a versão curta do questionário Oral Health Impact Profile, e a uma entrevista estruturada sobre dados sociodemográficos e uso de serviços odontológicos. Foram observadas altas experiências de cárie entre povos indígenas da América do Sul, contrastantes com a redução da prevalência da doença na população não indígena. Interferências nos sistemas alimentares indígenas afetam aspectos da identidade cultural, da organização social e da saúde das comunidades indígenas Este fenômeno implica em percepções de vulnerabilidades de saúde bucal e tensões entre o modelo biomédico e as práticas tradicionais de cura. Participantes (n = 109) apresentaram média de dentes cariados, perdidos e obturados de 14,45 (± 5,80). Cerca de dois terços do valor do índice foi composto por dentes perdidos. Necessidade de tratamento foi observada em 93% da população. Foram observadas altas frequências de necessidade de prótese e de experiência de perda dentária. Diferenças significativas na prevalência de dentição funcional foram observadas em relação a sexo e tempo da última consulta odontológica. Cerca de 94% dos participantes vivem em domicílios em situação de insegurança alimentar. Maiores pontuações de insegurança alimentar apresentaram associação com o recebimento do benefício Bolsa Família, maior densidade domiciliar e maior percepção dos impactos da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida. A presença de insegurança alimentar severa foi mais prevalente entre indivíduos que vivem em domicílios com mais de 5 moradores e aqueles com maior pontuação no instrumento OHIP-14. Este estudo apresenta dados epidemiológicos importantes para a compreensão das condições de saúde bucal dos povos Kaingang e Guarani, assim como para o planejamento de serviços de saúde culturamente apropriados para as necessidades desta população. / The Brazilian indigenous population comprises more than 900 thousand individuals distributed throughout all states of the Federation. Several studies have pointed to the deterioration of oral health of indigenous peoples over the last decades, although epidemiological data are still scarce. The transition to a food system based on a diet rich in fat, sugars and refined foods has been pointed out as a contributing factor for the development of diseases such as obesity and dental caries in different populations, including native peoples. This study aims to analyze the oral health epidemiological profile of the adult indigenous population living at the Guarita Reservation, as well as to investigate associated subjective aspects and social determinants. It was also intended to analyze the dental caries experience in the indigenous peoples of South America. A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis regarding the severity of dental caries in indigenous peoples living in South American countries was carried out. In addition, focus groups were conducted with the Kaingang and Guarani ethnic groups from the Guarita Reservation. The produced data were analyzed through the Grounded-Theory methodology and interpreted using the Pierre Bourdieu\'s theory. Adults aged 35-44 years of both ethnicities were examined regarding caries experience, treatment need, and use and need of prosthodontics. Participants answered the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, the short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire, and a structured interview on sociodemographic data and use of dental services. High caries experiences were observed among indigenous peoples of South America, contrasting with the reduction of the prevalence of the disease in the non-indigenous population. Interferences in indigenous food systems seem to affect aspects of cultural identity, social organization, and health of indigenous communities. This phenomenon implicates in perceptions of oral health vulnerabilities and tensions between the biomedical model and traditional healing practices. Participants (n = 109) presented a mean number of decayed, missing and filled teeth of 14.45 (± 5.80). About two-thirds of the value of the index was composed of missing teeth. Need for treatment was observed in 93% of the population. It was observed a high frequency of prosthodontic need and experience of tooth loss. Significant differences in the prevalence of functional dentition were observed in relation to sex and time of the last dental visit. Approximately 94% of participants live in food insecure households. Higher food insecurity scores were associated with the Bolsa Família benefit, higher household density and greater perception of the oral health impacts on quality of life. The presence of severe food insecurity was more prevalent among individuals living in households with more than 5 residents and those with higher scores on the OHIP-14 instrument. This study presents important epidemiological data for understanding the oral health conditions of the Kaingang and Guarani peoples, as well as for the planning of culturally appropriate health services to the needs of this population.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by 2012 there were 15.4 million refugees and 28.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) forced to flee their homes due to war or violent conflict across the globe. Upon arrival in their host settings, forced migrants struggle with acute health and material needs, as well as issues related to identity, politics, power and place. The Karen ethnic minority of Burma (also known as Myanmar) has been involved in a prolonged civil conflict with the Burmese military government for nearly six decades. This fighting has resulted in massive internal displacement and refugee flight, and although a ceasefire was signed in 2012, continued violence has been reported. This study among the displaced Karen population along the Thai-Burma border examines the relationships between traditional – or indigenous – medicine, the population's health needs, and the broader social and political context. Research was conducted using an ethnographic case-study approach among 170 participants along the Thai-Burma border between 2003 and 2011. Research findings document the rapid evolution and formalisation of the Karen traditional medical system. Findings show how the evolutionary process was influenced by social needs, an existing base medical knowledge among traditional health practitioners, and a dynamic social and political environment. Evidence suggests that that Karen traditional medicine practitioners, under the leadership of the Karen National Union (KNU) Department of Health and Welfare, are serving neglected and culturally-specific health needs among border populations. Moreover, this research also provides evidence that Karen authorities are revitalising their traditional medicine, as part of a larger effort to strengthen their social infrastructure including the Karen self-determination movement. In particular, these Karen authorities are focused on building a sustainable health infrastructure that can serve Karen State in the long term. From the perspectives of both refugee health and development studies, the revival of Karen traditional medicine within a refugee and IDP setting represents an adaptive response by otherwise medically under-served populations. This case offers a model of healthcare self-sufficiency that breaks with the dependency relationships characteristic of most conventional refugee and IDP health services. And, through the mobilisation of tradition for contemporary needs, it offers a dimension of cultural continuity in a context where discontinuity and loss of culture are hallmarks of the forced migration experience.