Schools as opportunity for oral health promotion: Existing status in India

Childhood is a significant stage in people’s lives where they are more receptive toward behavior shaping; thus, schools have been considered important foundation in addressing the health and social issues. School oral health education programs have produced affirmative results in improving the overall health of the child. The aim of the current review was to explore the history of school health, models of school health and existing efforts of School Oral Health Programs (SOHP) in India. The review identified five existing SOHP (Indian Dental Association - Colgate’s “Young India” Bright Smiles, Bright Futures, Chacha Nehru Sehat Yojna - School health scheme [Government of Delhi], Neev - SOHP, Intensive Dental Health Care Program - Punjab, Trinity CareFoundation - Bengaluru, National Oral Health Program, AIIMS) which is either running or proposed. It is recommended that the upcoming SOHP should be crafted on the existing evidence-based guidelines and theoretical models of school health. Prompt execution of proposed programs should be the priority to target the optimum oral health of the children.&nbsp

Oral health-related quality of life among elderly patients visiting special clinics in public hospitals in Delhi, India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Oral health is recognized as an integral component of general health, and poor oral health is reflected in general health and quality of life (QoL). India has seen a profound shift in the elderly population and is currently home to 103.9 million elders. General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) is a self-reported oral health assessment index used in elderly population and has been tested in multiple countries. Objective: The study aimed to assess the oral health-related QoL (OHRQoL) using GOHAI and various factors affecting it, among elderly patients visiting special Sunday geriatric clinics at Delhi public hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among four purposively selected special geriatric public clinics in Delhi, India, and a convenience sample of 145 elderly patients was obtained. OHRQoL was measured using a prevalidated instrument (GOHAI) along with other variables (sociodemographic factors, self-perceived oral health, utilization of medical/dental services, dental problems in the past 12 months, and prosthetic status/need). Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 21, and descriptive results were obtained. Results: The sample consisted of 66 males (45.5%) and 79 females (55.5%), and around 58% (n = 84) of the participants were illiterate. Around 39% (n = 57) of the elderly had never visited a dentist and 48% (n = 69) were financially dependent (no income) on others. The mean GOHAI score for the population was 26.69 + 4.44 (median = 25, interquartile range = 23–27). GOHAI score was compared for age, oral hygiene practices, dental problems in the past 12 months, self-reported oral health, and prosthetic need, and a statistically significant difference was observed. Conclusions: The current study assessed GOHAI score and highlighted important determinants of OHRQoL in elderly population visiting the special clinics in Delhi. Thus, OHRQoL should be considered as a surrogate measure to clinical oral examination

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