Tea and Oral Health

Tea consumption as a beverage is very common in various parts of the world. It has attained a worldwide liking and measure of social status in many parts. Tea contains various chemicals which have positive effects on health from heart to skin. It has been associated with the cure of aging to potent anticancer agent also. Considering these facts an attempt was made to establish a relation between tea and oral health. Tea has its effects on oral microorganisms, anticariogenic properties, and reduction of gingivitis as well as periodontitis. A cup of tea immediately after lunch had reduced dental caries in children and rinsing with 0.2% Chinese green tea decreased plaque and the gingival index significantly. Tea has been found to be effective against oral cancer, precancerous lesions and conditions as well. Hence tea has been rightly said as a functional food for health. Green tea has shown to have bactericidal effects on Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella species. The gingival inflammation is reduced and a marked reduction in pocket size has been noticed. Tea selectively induces p57 and apoptosis as well as inhibits the growth and invasion of oral carcinoma

Cyclin B1 overexpression in conventional oral squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma-A correlation with clinicopathological features

Background: Nuclear localization of cyclin B1 is an indicator for cells undergoing mitotic division, and the overexpression has shown promising results as a good prognostic predictor for patients of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Cyclin B1 overexpression among histological grades of conventional oral squamous cell carcinoma (COSCC), as well as comparison with verrucous carcinoma (VC) has been less investigated. Study Design: Immunohistochemical expression of cyclin B1 was compared with various clinicopathological features in 30 primary COSCC and 31 primary VC cases. Result: Cyclin B1 showed significant overexpression for some clinical features for both the variants of oral squamous cell carcinoma. In histopathological variants, statistical significance was observed among grades of COSCC, as well as COSCC and its grades with VC. The concomitant increase in cyclin B1 overexpression from VC to grades COSCC was observed. Conclusion: Our study findings draw attention to cyclin B1 overexpression is involved in early carcinogenesis, cell differentiation and tumor proliferation

Development, validation, and usability testing of prototype mobile application for oral health promotion during pregnancy in India

Background: Oral diseases are a silent epidemic. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to develop, validate, and assess the usability of an oral health prototype mobile application for oral health promotion among pregnant women in India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tertiary Care Hospital in Delhi, India, after obtaining Ethical Clearance from the Institutional Ethical Committee Board. The study was conducted in three phases: development of the prototype app, its validation, followed by usability testing of the app. Mobile app was validated by 30 pregnant women and 30 subject experts using Heuristic Analysis Scale and usability testing by 30 pregnant women based on System Usability Scale (SUS). Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 21.0. Results: Majority (over 90%) of pregnant women and subject experts strongly acknowledged that the app educated the users using positive motivation strategies, instilling comprehensive knowledge and faced no issues with the appropriate functionality of the app. The prototype app scored 73.75 on SUS, indicating high usability. Conclusion: This study holistically explored various dimensions of oral health care in pregnant women. Its novelty is proven by the fact that the content of the prototype application has been phase wise developed and validated by pregnant women and subject experts. Usability testing of the app indicated its high acceptability and ease of use among pregnant women in India

Content analysis of sugar portrayal in online newspapers of Delhi, India

Background: The role of sugars on health and specifically on oral health is well evident in scientific literature. However, information regarding sugar portrayal in print media is quite limited. Objectives: To determine “Sugar Portrayal” in English newspapers (online version), a 1-year media content analysis of newspaper stories from Delhi (India) was conducted. Methods: Media content analysis was conducted by an online search for news stories in the two most popular Delhi English newspapers for daily and their Sunday equivalents. A total of 3648 newspaper articles and opinion pieces appearing over a period of 1 year (October 1, 2015, until September 30, 2016) were retrieved after entering selected “keywords.” The articles were reliably coded for overall frame and type of article. The data were entered in MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 21 (IBM Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: It was inferred that the print media generally advertise sugar recipes and industry, invariably in state-wide context with either a negative or neutral slant. Although there was mention regarding benefits as well as harmful effects in the news stories, yet coverage often lacked detailed health information. Conclusions: The current study found out that there was relatively wider state-wide coverage of sugar, with very narrow focus on public health facts. More accurate information would permit the individuals to make more informed decisions regarding their own behavior

Afghan frontier: understanding tobacco practices among migrant population in India

Background According to the World Refugee Survey by US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, migrants from Afghanistan constitute the 4 th largest group of migrants to India. No previous studies have been conducted to assess the tobacco consumption status and pattern among this migrant population. Hence the aim of our study was to understand the tobacco use patterns and barriers among the migrant population from Afghanistan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 127 Afghan tobacco users residing in Delhi, India in the month of June, 2017. A close-ended self-administered validated questionnaire translated in Persian language was circulated among Afghan tobacco users visiting local cafés and restaurants. The questionnaire assessed their socio-demographic factors, tobacco use patterns and barriers to tobacco cessation. Data was entered into digital spreadsheets and descriptive inferences were drawn. (SPSS v.21) Results A total of 127 male Afghan tobacco users with mean age of 33.49 ± 11.97 years voluntarily completed the questionnaire. Better work opportunities were the most common reason for migration. Most of them (69%) smoked tobacco and 15.5% only used Naswar. Half (52%) of the respondents continue to use tobacco products manufactured in Afghanistan with 62% procuring the product through social means (friends/family). Higher cost of tobacco products and stringent law enforcements in India were common barriers to tobacco use. Personal barriers to quitting included loss of social circle and fear of withdrawal symptoms among the respondents. Strikingly, 93% were unaware about the availability of local cessation services. Conclusions Majority of the Afghan respondents continue to use products manufactured in Afghanistan, probably as an attempt to hold fast to their culture and social practices. Since most of the respondents are unaware about the availability of cessation services, attempts should be made to generate awareness and motivate them to quit

Questionnaire vs clinical surveys: The right choice?-A cross-sectional comparative study

Purpose: To investigate the practical value of using questionnaires (self perceived assessment) as compared with clinical examinations (normative assessment) and to evaluate the role of socioeconomic status and implications of the results in understanding the public perception of oral health. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional single-blind study. A purposive sample of 860 bank employees of Belgaum city, India, were asked to fill in a close-ended questionnaire inquiring about their socioeconomic status, dental, periodontal health levels and treatment needs. Clinical examinations, employing the WHO dentition status and Community Periodontal Index, were performed to determine normative status and needs. Perceived and normative assessments were compared for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. Results: The kappa values ranged from 0 (treatment needs) to 0.67 (for prosthesis). The degree of agreement with the following kappa values and sensitivity was seen in filled teeth (0.52, 60%), missing teeth (0.62, 83.8%), and prosthesis (0.67, 58.3%). However, the disagreement was seen with all other questions with average kappa value of 0.20. Conclusions: Self-assessment questionnaires were of low value in evaluating dental, periodontal health status and treatment needs in the study subjects. Findings reflect a low level of awareness that may influence care-seeking behavior and socioeconomic status has a clear role to play in dental health perception