Without pigments, we are nothing. Life presents us with a kaleidoscope of colors. From the green grass of home to a forest's ruddy autumn hues, we are surrounded by living colors. Living things obtain their colors, with few exceptions, from natural pigments. In addition to their role in coloration, natural pigments carry out a variety of important biological functions. Of the various classes of pigments in nature, the carotenoids are among the most widespread and important ones, especially due to their varied functions. Lycopene is a red plant pigment found in tomatoes, apricots, guavas, watermelons, papayas, and pink grapefruits, with tomatoes being the largest contributor to the dietary intake of humans. Lycopene exhibits higher singlet oxygen quenching ability. Due to its strong color and nontoxicity, it is a useful food coloring agent. Moreover, it plays a multifunctional role as a nonsurgical aid in the treatment of oral diseases like leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, lichen planus, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and also prevents the destruction of periodontal tissues. This review article focuses mainly on the role of lycopene in the prevention of various oral diseases.

Background:Ebola viral fever, a highly contagious haemorrhagic disease has today become a major public health concern in the developing countries worldwide.Aim:The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge among dental practitioners regarding Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever (Ebola HF) in Tricity, (Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali).Materials and Methods:A total of 500 private dental practitioners were randomly approached to participate in this cross-sectional survey. A self-structured, closed ended questionnaire was administered to each participant to record demographic and professional characteristics followed by their knowledge regarding Ebola HF. Knowledge section included questions related to communicability; symptomatology and diagnostics; at-risk individuals; prevention and treatment; and, virus characteristics of Ebola HF.Results:The results were expressed in percentages. Multivariable linear regression analysis was carried out to assess the association of participants's demographic and professional characteristics with the knowledge scores. Statistically significant difference was seen when mean knowledge scores were compared based on the locality and qualification of the participants (P < 0.05).Conclusion:Dental practitioners from urban areas with higher qualification had better knowledge yet there were notable deficiencies regarding the virus characteristics, diagnostics, elimination and treatment.

BackgroundEarly childhood caries (ECC) has reached epidemic proportions affecting millions of children worldwide. Its prevention becomes imperative owing to the significant morbidity and financial implications involved with its treatment. The Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), launched in India to provide mid-day meals, pre-school education and primary healthcare to children, can be utilised to counsel and deliver oral health education to mothers. The purpose of the study is to compare the effect of an oral health care package (OHCP) with usual care on the change in dental disease status among 1 to 3-year-old children at Anganwadi centres (AWC) in periurban areas of Chandigarh and rural areas of Cuttack, Orissa over a follow-up period of three years.MethodsTwo geographically distant ICDS blocks would be selected at each of the two study sites and would be randomly allocated to intervention and control group. Closely located AWCs under each of the selected blocks shall constitute the study setting. OHCP would be delivered to the mothers of the 1–6-year-old children enrolled in the AWCs of the experimental group whereas mothers under control group would receive usual care advice available at the AWCs.DiscussionECC prevention had conventionally focused upon testing effectiveness of programs targeting behaviour change among the caregivers and children, but surprisingly minimal efforts have been made to seek translation of these efforts into reduction of ECC at the community level. The present study has two components; testing effect of altering maternal and child behavioral aspects on ECC incidence through cohort follow up of 1–3-year-old children for three consecutive years and cross-sectional follow up of all available 1–6-year old children at the selected AWCs at regular intervals to look for change in prevalence of ECC at community level. In other regions of the world surveys of ECC prevalence before and after the intensive educational programs have shown a significant reduction in ECC prevalence. A similar decline can be anticipated through this program.Trial registrationThis trial has been prospectively registered at Clinical Trials Registry, India (CTRI/2019/02/017556, 08 February 2019).

Background: Stress has been described as an epidemic of the 21 st century and even students are not exempted from this scenario. It is now well-established that dental students perceive and experience high levels of stress. Although some stress is inherent in dentistry and education and is likely to be beneficial as a learning stimulus, there is a concern that high levels of stress and prolonged stress exposure may precipitate burnout, a term that describes the experience of long-term work-related exhaustion and diminished interest. Hence this study was attempted. Aim: To evaluate burnout and stress among students of two dental universities with different curriculum

Objectives:To access knowledge and practices related to the oral health of geriatrics among the health care providers practicing in urban and rural areas.Background:Older adults have identified a number of barriers that contribute to lack of dental service use. However, barriers that clinicians encounter in providing dental treatment to older adults are not as clear-cut.Materials and Methods:236 health professionals (of allopathy, ayurveda, and homeopathy) from urban and rural areas were assessed by means of structured questionnaire related to oral health practices and beliefs.Results:Doctors practicing in urban areas assessed dental care needs more frequently (P = 0.038) and performed greater practices related to oral health of geriatrics (P = 0.043) than the doctors practicing in primary health care (PHC) centers (rural) (P = 0.038).Conclusion:Owing to the relative lack of knowledge among rural practitioners, there is a need to integrate primary health care with oral care in rural areas.

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Context:Plasma fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF).Background:OSMF is a chronic, progressive, scarring disease of multifactorial etiology. Areca nut is found to be the main cause of this disease. But it has been found in the routine clinical practice that some individuals with the habit of areca nut chewing may not show any clinical evidence of OSMF, while some individuals without the habit of areca nut chewing are found to have OSMF. So, there must be some other factors associated with OSMF. Recently, plasma FDPs have been identified as an early indicator of disease in OSMF patients. A systematic review of their role would help to elucidate whether there is an association of these FDPs in the pathogenesis of OSMF or not.Objective:To review studies reported in the literature elucidating the role of these plasma FDPs in OSMF.Materials and Methods:Articles were searched in PubMed; MEDLINE using appropriate key words like “plasma fibrinogen degradation products” and “oral submucous fibrosis.” Hand search of journals was also performed. Articles were reviewed and analyzed.Results:The search strategy revealed nine relevant articles which studied the role of these plasma FDPs in the etiopathogenesis of OSMF and further progression of this disease with the increased clinical grades and the risk of carcinoma, but the exact role of these factors is still obscure.Conclusion:The data validate the role of plasma FDPs in the etiopathogenesis of OSMF. Studies with a large sample size are still required to evaluate the definite association between these FDPs and OSMF. It has the advantage of being a noninvasive method to evaluate the stage of OSMF patients, instead of using the invasive techniques like biopsy.