Introduction: Fermented rice recently gained attention for its symbiotic and probiotic potential, which enhancegut and oral health. Pigmented rice varieties are known to possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties; limitedevidence exists on how fermentation influences their antimicrobial efficacy.Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the antimicrobial activity of pigmented andconventional rice varieties before and after fermentation.Materials and Methods: Five rice varieties Raw rice (Pachha Arisi), Parboiled rice (Pulungal Arisi), Bridegroomrice (Mapillai Samba), Red rice (Matta) and Black rice (Kavuni Arisi) were analyzed. Rice water samples werecollected before and after a 24-hour natural fermentation process and mixed with human saliva containing oralmicrobiota. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Streptococcus mutans, Fusobacterium nucleatum,Tannerella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis using quantitative real-time PCR. Statistical analyses wereperformed using one-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey’s test, and paired t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant.Results: All rice varieties showed significant enhancement in bacterial inhibition after fermentation (p < 0.05).Pigmented rice varieties exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than conventional types, particularly against S.mutans and P. gingivalis. Mapillai Samba, Red rice, and Black rice achieved complete (100%) inhibition of S.mutans post-fermentation, The two types of rice Parboiled and Raw showed different levels of growth inhibitionwhere Parboiled achieved 90% and Raw achieved 60% inhibition. The fermentation process increasedantimicrobial activity of rice but especially improved it in pigmented rice varieties. The fermentation processproduces bioactive phenolic compounds and probiotic metabolites which lead to enhanced activity.Conclusion: The research findings show that fermented pigmented rice functions as a natural dietary supplementwhich helps people maintain their oral health by restoring their mouth bacterial balance and preventing dentaldiseases.
Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a critical yet underexplored dimension of well-being in children with intellectual disabilities, who experience a disproportionately high burden of oral diseases due to cognitive, behavioural, and self-care limitations. Existing paediatric OHRQoL instruments were developed for typically developing populations and may not capture the unique experiences of this group. This study aimed to evaluate the construct validity, criterion validity, and reliability of a newly developed caregiver-reported OHRQoL instrument specifically designed for children with intellectual disabilities. A psychometric validation study was conducted among 200 children aged 12 to 18 years with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and their mothers/caregivers from four special schools in Pondicherry, India. Caregiver-reported OHRQoL assessments were obtained through structured interviews, and clinical oral examinations recorded caries status. Construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis. Criterion, convergent, and discriminant validity were assessed using correlation and group comparison analyses. Reliability was evaluated through Cronbach’s alpha, split-half reliability, and test–retest Intraclass Correlation Coefficients. Floor and ceiling effects were examined to determine score distribution. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a seven-component structure reflecting cognitive, behavioural, emotional, caregiver, health-care system, motor, and family domains. Criterion validity was supported by significant correlations between caregiver-reported OHRQoL scores, perceived oral health, and caries burden. Discriminant validity showed significantly poorer caregiver-reported OHRQoL among children with higher caries experience. The instrument demonstrated excellent internal consistency (overall α = 0.947), strong split-half reliability, and acceptable test–retest stability. No ceiling effects and minimal floor effects were observed. Within the limitations of the study, the instrument demonstrated strong validity and reliability, offering a comprehensive tool to assess caregiver-reported OHRQoL in children with intellectual disabilities. Further validation across diverse settings and longitudinal evaluation are recommended.
