Age‐standardized incidence rates of ameloblastoma and dentigerous cyst on the Witwatersrand, South Africa

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Abstract
There were no standardized data on odontogenic tumors and jaw cysts which would allow for comparative incidences in different countries and between different groups. Cases of ameloblastomas and dentigerous cysts derived from the records of all the hospital pathology departments and private pathology practices on the Witwatersrand [South Africa] were recorded for the 10 yr period (1965-1974). The population at risk (1970 census) was 974,390 Whites and 1,567,280 Blacks. The annual incidence rates, standardized against the standard world population, for ameloblastomas per million population were 1.96, 1.20, 0.18 and 0.44 for Black males, females and Whites males, females, respectively. The equivalent 4 figures for dentigerous cysts were 1.18, 1.22, 9.92 and 7.26. These figures show that ameloblastoma is very much more common in Blacks than Whites in the population at risk. Conversely, dentigerous cysts are much more common in Whites. It is unlikely that dentigerous cysts predispose to ameloblastoma formation. Whether some component of the South African Black diet or other environmental substance might be an etiologic factor in ameloblastoma is speculated.

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