Background: Oral health literacy (OHL) is a fundamental determinant of oral health promotion and a key driver of health disparities in underserved populations. Poor OHL is associated with adverse oral health behaviors, reduced utilization of dental services, and worse clinical outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and distribution of OHL levels among adults and examine its associations with sociodemographic characteristics and clinical oral health indicators. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 adults residing in villages of Eastern Odisha. OHL was assessed using the validated Oral Health Literacy-Adult Questionnaire (OHL-AQ). Data collected included socioeconomic status (SES; assessed independently using BG Prasad's Classification), Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, clinical attachment loss (CAL), and urgency for dental intervention (WHO Basic Methods). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square test (significance set at p<0.05). Results: Of 200 participants, 65.0% (n=130) had inadequate OHL, 21.0% (n=42) had marginal OHL, and only 14.0% (n=28) had adequate OHL. Higher OHL was significantly associated with higher educational attainment (p=0.013), lower prevalence of decayed teeth (p<0.001), lower clinical attachment loss (p<0.001), and lower urgency for dental intervention (p<0.001). No significant association was detected between OHL and sex (p=0.561) or SES category (p=0.227). Conclusion: Inadequate OHL was highly prevalent in the study population. Educational attainment was identified as the strongest independent predictor of OHL. Tailored, evidence-based education initiatives are recommended to address deficiencies in OHL and associated oral health disparities.

Obesity and dental caries are two of the most common chronic health problems affecting people of all age groups across the world. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the possible relationship between body weight and oral health. Although obesity and dental caries are distinct conditions, they share several common risk factors, including unhealthy dietary habits, frequent consumption of sugary foods and beverages, physical inactivity, and poor lifestyle practices. Obesity may further compromise oral health by altering salivary composition, increasing inflammation, and negatively influencing routine health behaviours. Many studies have explored this association; however, the findings remain controversial, with some reporting a positive relationship while others show little or no association. This review article aims to discuss the link between obesity and dental caries, explain the possible mechanisms linking the two conditions, and emphasise preventive strategies based on a common risk-factor approach. Keywords: Obesity, Dental Caries, Sugar Consumption, Oral Health, Body Mass Index, Common Risk Factor Approach.

BackgroundOral health is a significant indicator of overall wellness and health, although it is often ignored in general healthcare. Despite the development of various oral health assessment (OHA) tools for non-dental health professionals (NDHP), there is limited comprehensive understanding of their scope and application. This scoping review will systematically explore the available research on OHA tools used by non-dental healthcare providers, focusing on their development, psychometric properties, and utilization across different settings.MethodsArksey and O'Malley framework will direct this review and will be reported in line with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search strategy has been developed and a preliminary search was conducted in three major databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search will include studies from inception to June 30, 2025. Studies will be selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data charting will be done using a charting form and analyzed through narrative synthesis.ResultsThe review will provide a detailed mapping of the OHA tools currently available for non-dental healthcare providers, including their psychometric properties, settings of use, and the populations they target. The analysis will identify gaps in the literature and highlight the tools available in promoting early detection and management of oral health issues by NDHP.ConclusionThis scoping review will provide a detailed overview of the oral health screening tools available to non-dental healthcare professionals, shedding light on their utility and areas requiring further research.

Background: Dental trauma has become an important attribute of dental public health because of its frequency, impact on economic productivity, and quality of life. The primary requisite before actively dealing with such problems is to describe the extent, distribution, and associated variables of the specific condition. Aim and Objective: The present survey was conducted to assess the prevalence and risk factors related to dental trauma in permanent teeth of school children of Bhubaneswar. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1025 school children, aged 10–15 years, randomly selected from 15 schools by multistage cluster sampling was done. A self-designed questionnaire was used for the data collection. Data from completely filled questionnaire were collected, tabulated, and analyzed. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Chi-square test at P ≤ 0.05 were considered for the statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence of dental trauma in the present study was 23.41%. Boys experienced more dental trauma than girls with 14.01% and 9.4% (P < 0.037), respectively. Sports were the main cause of dental trauma. Permanent right central incisors (P < 0.001) and Elli’s Davey class II fractures (P < 0.001) were most commonly seen dental trauma as compared to others. Conclusion: Participation in sports and games increases the risk of dental trauma that can be prevented by using appropriate protective equipment such as helmet, mouthguards, etc. Hence, awareness programs regarding its prevention and management should be undertaken in susceptible populations.

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of soyabean and pumpkin seeds methanolic extract against oral microbiome. Material and Methods: An in vitro study compared the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of soyabean and pumpkin seed along with 0.2% chlorhexidine (positive control) by Agar well diffusion method against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus and Candida albicans. Suitable dilutions of each seed extract determined Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). Qualitative phytochemical analysis and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) was done to determine the phytochemical components. Results: Both the methanolic extracts showed the highest zone of inhibition, 26 +/- 0.31 mm and 24 +/- 0.82 mm, followed by 22 +/- 0.87 mm and 21 +/- 0.55 mm against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus pyogenes, respectively. The zone of inhibition was higher at concentrations in both extracts, which was not statistically significant (p>0.05). MIC values fluctuated from 1.56 to 4.5 mg/ml and 3.5 to 5.0 mg/ml for soyabean and pumpkin seed extract, respectively. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, tannins, and flavonoids. Conclusion: Both extracts were effective against S. mutans and S. pyogenes and contain compounds with therapeutic potential.

Social inequality has a substantial influence on oral health and health outcomes in general. It takes many different forms, including differences in wealth and educational attainment. Prominent health inequalities are caused by the unequal distribution of opportunities and resources, which is influenced by socioeconomic, racial, and geographic variables. Unfair health disparities are caused by a variety of factors, including as living circumstances, health-related behaviours, and biological variance. These differences, which mostly impact lower socioeconomic groups, threaten social cohesiveness, impair economic stability, and intensify emotional stress. In order to address these problems, more inclusive definitions of health are needed, along with fair policy. Addressing these gaps requires comprehensive efforts to enhance general health and eliminate inequities, including those in dental treatment. Public health plays a vital role in this regard. Keywords: Health, Inequality, Perspective, Social inequality

Poor oral hygiene in young children is a major public health problem that is affected by many societal, communal, and environmental factors. Children as young as 12 months old can get early childhood caries (ECC), which can impact their growth, development, and quality of life. ECC affects between 6% and 90% of people around the world, so kids in preschool need to learn good oral health habits. The study's objective is to create an explained book model that can be used to teach preschoolers about good oral care and get around the problems with current methods. The textured book model was developed with input from faculties from Public Health Dentistry, Pedodontics and pre-school teachers. Questionnaires assessing face, content, construct and criterion validity through a Likert scale captured detailed feedback. The glossy book, made with design tools and printed on cloth, met all four validity criteria, indicating its effectiveness as a teaching tool. This study assessed the validity of an assessment questionnaire for a textured book model aimed at improving oral hygiene knowledge among young learners. Strong correlations were found between overall scores and items Q4, Q5, and Q7 (p<0.001). Factor analysis revealed three key dimensions—comprehensiveness, relevance, and effectiveness—demonstrating the model’s efficacy in promoting positive oral hygiene practices. Content validity ratio was obtained using the Lawshe Method, and estimated to be 0.83. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, which was 0.81. The significant level was set at p-value <0.05. The textured book model is a fun and engaging way to encourage preschoolers to care for their teeth. It combines learning with play, making it an effective tool to teach good dental habits that can last a lifetime.

Minimal invasive dentistry embraces beliefs that assimilate remineralisation, and inhibition as well as minimal intervention for restorations. By using the least intrusive surgical approach, minimally invasive dentistry affects the treatment objective where a minimal number of healthy tissues are removed. Various methods are now accessible for the excavation of caries. The crudest way to deal with the management of cavities can be done by using hand equipment or instruments, which was an excruciating as well as insufficient strategy for caries removal. Accordingly, the "mission" for more current materials and procedures in the field of caries management led to the utilization of minimally invasive methodologies. Among all the minimally invasive dentistry procedures, the chemo mechanical caries removal method can remove carious tooth material efficiently by hand instruments and a solution. The concept of caries removal by chemo mechanical method reveals the initial diagnosis of carious lesions and helps in minimal destruction of tooth structure during caries removal. This review paper highlights the caries removal methods by the chemo mechanical concept and discusses the various chemo mechanical caries removal agents as well as their properties.

Public–private partnerships (PPPs) are a type of partnerships between the government and the private sector. PPPs promote innovation in healthcare by combining the resources of the public and private sectors. They provide advantages such as improved service, enhanced accessibility, and cost savings. However, they also have drawbacks such as divergent goals, hesitancy, influence imbalances, and limited data. This review focuses to examine types of PPP in healthcare such as service contracts, operations, maintenance contracts, and capital projects, with a focus on their diverse applications and impacts, its benefits, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, challenges, divergence goals, issues about prices, disputes, and the influence of private sector on healthcare quality, access, and costs in Indian scenario. The review also provides a comprehensive and globally relevant exploration of PPP in healthcare, with a special focus on dental care, non-clinical services, and pragmatic insights into its challenges and solutions, offering a valuable resource for stakeholders in the field.

This study assessed the prevalence of root caries and its risk factors in the elderly population of Khordha district, Odisha, India. Further, microbiological profiling was done for the same patients. The Khordha district was divided into four zones, and municipal clusters were selected randomly from each zone. Residents aged 65-75 years and who provided consent were included in the study, except those with physical disabilities and terminal illnesses. A pilot study on 25 subjects who met the inclusion criteria and the sample size was calculated to be 373 based on the formula N = Za2 {p (1-p)}/L2 x D.E. and rounded off to 380. The majority (70%) of the study population comprised males residing in urban areas having a minimum of middle school education. Most of them cleaned their teeth at least once daily. Tobacco use was prevalent in the population, with 37.3% smokers and 87.4% chewing tobacco, significantly more in males. The overall prevalence of root caries was 20.8%, with 16.3% in males and 4.5% in females, respectively. The mean RCI score for males in the study population was 8.09 ± 14.8, while that for females was significantly lower at 5.89 ± 8.23 (p

Objective: To assess sleep quality and stress level and to analyze their effect on the academic performance of undergraduate dental students. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 234 undergraduate dental students at Bhubaneswar. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), consisting of 18 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale, assessed sleep quality. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) evaluated the stress level. Google Forms collected demographic details and marks obtained in their previous examination. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman correlation coefficient were used for analysis (p≤0.05). Results: Mean PSQI and K10 scores were 4.87±4.5 and 17.60±8.5, respectively. 38% of students had poor sleep quality, and mean actual sleep hours were 8.01±1.7. One-fourth (24.8%) of subjects had moderate to severe stress. Sleep quality significantly differed among the various academic years (p=0.001). A post-hoc test showed a difference between 1st and 2nd-year students and 1st and 4th-year students. A statistically significant difference between genders regarding the components of the K10 scale was observed. A non-significant positive correlation between total marks and K10 score and a negative correlation between marks and global PSQI score was found. Conclusion: Sleep quality and stress harm the academic performance of dental students.

Potential competing interests: No potential competing

Introduction: Research activities have increased manifold due to the importance of scientific publication in advancing an academic career. Researchers find it strenuous to choose journals due to the availability of a higher number of scientific journals. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the various journal factors that affect its selection to publish research work and the motivating factors involved in it. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 219 dental professionals that included dental faculties, postgraduate students, and private dental practitioners of Odisha, through a self-administered questionnaire via Google Forms consisting of 15 items. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis with a level of significance set at 0.05. Results: Respondents were predominantly dental faculty (53%). Factors influencing journal selection were citation of the journal (89.4%), followed by impact factor and indexing of the journal. Less than half (42.4%) agreed to pay the publishing charges. It was observed that PubMed indexing was preferred, followed by Scopus. The reason to publish was different for faculty and postgraduate students. Conclusions: Researchers consider various factors before publishing in a journal with the intent of discoverability and recognition. The study revealed that indexing of journals and impact factor as important aspects of choosing a journal for publication.

Background:The risk of periodontal disease is considered to be high among tobacco users compared to those not consuming tobacco in any form. A rise in salivary enzyme levels reflects the destruction of healthy tissues, making it a potential clinical biomarker. Thus, the aim was to assess periodontal health and examine salivary enzyme levels and their correlation with tobacco use. Methods:Unstimulated saliva was collected using a standard protocol from 128 individuals who visited the outpatient department (OPD) of a dental hospital, divided into four groups. Clinical assessment was done using the gingival index (1963) (GI) and the community periodontal index (1982) (CPI). Findings:There was a strong correlation between tobacco use and salivary enzyme levels. Tobacco chewers had the most elevated salivary enzyme levels, followed by smokers and passive smokers. Significant periodontal deterioration presenting as an increase in probing depth and clinical loss of attachment (LOA) was seen among the chewers (3.22±0.87 and 2.16±1.27, respectively) and smokers (3.16±0.80 and 1.63±1.38, respectively), which was more than passive smokers (2.75±0.80 and 0.84±0.30, respectively) and was considered significant between all the groups (P=0.001). Conclusion:Tobacco use in either form affects the severity of periodontal diseases and the levels of salivary enzymes. Thus, salivary enzymes are regarded as reliable biochemical indicators of periodontal tissue damage and can be used as motivators to quit tobacco usage. Additionally, passive smoking was found to have a negative impact on periodontal health and can be considered a risk factor.

The application of nano-technology in dentistry has opened new frontiers in diagnostics, treatment, and preventive care. Nanomaterials, with dimensions at the nanoscale, have been employed in the development of advanced dental materials. Nanoparticles, such as silver nanoparticles, have demonstrated antimicrobial properties, paving the way for improved infection control in dental procedures. These materials exhibit improved mechanical properties, enhanced biocompatibility, and increased durability, leading to longer-lasting dental restorations. Nano sensors and imaging techniques enable more precise diagnostics, allowing dentists to detect early signs of dental issues with greater accuracy. Moreover, nanoparticles have been harnessed for targeted drug delivery in oral healthcare, ensuring efficient and controlled release of therapeutic agents. This chapter explores how integration of nano-technology in dentistry not only enhances the overall quality of dental treatments but also contributes to the development of minimally invasive procedures, promising a more comfortable and efficient dental experience for patients