Cross-sectional study of oral mucosal conditions among a central Amazonian Indian community, Brazil.

Background: A cross-sectional study on the oral mucosal conditions among the Waimiri Atroari Indians from central Amazonia, Brazil, has been conducted. These Indians keep their traditional way of life and are free from habits such as smoking, alcohol drinking, and use of pacifiers.

Methods: Clinical examinations of a representative, randomly selected sample of patients during routine dental treatment, following ethical procedures recommended by Brazilian laws were made.