The practice of extraction of ebinyo or false teeth is based on the belief that the rubbing of herbs on the gum (in the region of the canine) or the removal of the primary and/or permanent canine tooth buds will lead to the relief of childhood fevers and diarrhoea. The reported prevalence of this practice in Uganda and neighbouring countries is varied.
Although carried out early in the life of the child, this practice can have an impact on the occlusal status in the permanent dentition years later.
