Infant oral mutilation (IOM) is a dangerous and sometimes fatal dental procedure performed by some practitioners of traditional medicine in many areas of Africa.
The unhygienic methods can cause bloodstream infections, tetanus, pass on HIV, and can on occasion be fatal during or after the procedure.
[5] Dental care providers, especially outside Africa, may not necessarily be equipped with the knowledge or skills to diagnose and manage the consequences of this procedure.
[clarification needed] There is published evidence of IOM occurring in Chad,[7] DR Congo, Ethiopia,[8] Kenya,[9] Rwanda,[10] Somalia,[11] Sudan,[12] Tanzania[13] and Uganda.
[4] It has also been observed in African immigrants now living in France,[7] Israel,[6][14] USA,[15] Australia,[16] Norway,[17] New Zealand[18] and the UK.