Effectiveness of Oral Health Education and Interventions in Improving Oral Health Outcomes in Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Prospective Study.

Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oral health education and intervention in improving oral health outcomes in type 2 DM (T2DM) patients. Methods The present study was conducted in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology between February 2023 and August 2023 at Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals in Chennai, India. All of the patients in the study had T2DM with oral manifestations. This study enrolled 105 participants, of whom 63 were female and 42 were male. A standard pro forma was given to all the participants, and the findings were recorded. The pro forma comprises different oral manifestations, blood glucose levels, the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, and Russell's periodontal index. The results were then statistically analyzed. Results This study of 105 individuals with T2DM (60% females and 40% males) revealed significant oral health challenges: 33% had periodontitis, 20% had gingivitis, 5% had lichenoid reactions, 23% had xerostomia, 11% had halitosis, and 8% had candidiasis, illustrating diabetes' impact on dental health. Following appropriate, tailor-made treatment for individual patients, such as scaling, root planning, oral hygiene education, pharmacotherapy, and post-intervention, the prevalence of complications notably decreased by 61%. A total of 7% of patients had gingivitis, 11% had periodontitis, 12% had xerostomia, 4% had halitosis, 2% had candidiasis, and 1% had lichenoid reactions, respectively. This highlights the importance of regular oral care positively impacting diabetes patients, with 61% experiencing improved oral health and 39% experiencing no improvement. Conclusion This study provides compelling evidence for the effectiveness of oral health education and interventions in improving oral health outcomes in T2DM patients. This approach offers a promising strategy for managing the oral health complications associated with diabetes and improving this population's overall health and well-being.

Unveiling the Multifaceted Management of Oral Mucositis in Cancer Patients: A Narrative Review.

Oral mucositis (OM) is a major and common adverse reaction to cancer treatment, occurring in all patients who undergo radiation therapy or chemotherapy that includes the mucosal areas of the oral and oropharyngeal region. The pathophysiology of OM remains incompletely understood, and there are many unanswered questions about the risk factors for developing OM. Multidisciplinary clinicians and researchers must collaborate to better understand and expand treatment strategies for OM and other inflammatory conditions in oncology. This will lead to the development of more effective treatments and reduce the burden of OM in cancer patients. This article comprehensively reviews the risk factors and patient factors associated with OM, its pathogenesis, clinical presentation, grading, and management.

Prevalence of Oral Submucous Fibrosis With Other Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders: A Clinical Retrospective Study.

Background  Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, progressive, and potentially malignant oral disorder that causes scarring of the oral cavity, pharynx, and upper oesophagus. It is most common in Southeast Asia, but it is also found in other parts of the world. Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are a group of oral lesions that have an increased risk of developing into oral cancer. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of OSMF associated with other OPMDs. The presence of multiple OPMDs existing in one patient is a significant finding, as it is associated with an elevated risk of developing malignancy. The risk of malignant transformation increases with the number of OPMDs present in a patient; patients with two OPMDs have a three to four times higher risk of developing malignancy than those with a single OPMD. Patients with three or more OPMDs have a 7-10 times higher risk and the risk of malignant transformation depends on the type of OPMD. Materials and methods The study was conducted in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai, India, to investigate the prevalence of OSMF with other OPMDs. The study team retrieved 630 case records of patients with OSMF from the electronic database between January 2018 and March 2023. All of the patients in the study had OSMF, as well as other OPMDs such as leukoplakia, candidiasis, actinic cheilitis, dyskeratosis congenita, erythroplakia, lichen planus, sideropenic dysphagia (Plummer-Vinson syndrome), and discoid lupus erythematosus. Both clinical and histopathological examinations confirmed these diagnoses. Oral mucosal lesions without coexisting OSMF were excluded. The study was done on the basis of age group, habits, type of habits, associated coexisting lesions, and systemic condition. Results The patients were clinically examined and diagnosed. Of the 630 cases, 10% had OSMF with OPMDs. The most common OPMDs associated with OSMF were leukoplakia (86%), followed by candidiasis (12%) and both leukoplakia and candidiasis (2%). Based on gender, the incidence of OSMF was higher in males compared to females with 67% and 33%, respectively. Conclusion OSMF is more likely to develop into malignancy; the widespread use of areca nut products in India has contributed to the rising incidence of OSMF. Accumulating epidemiological data can help to identify high-risk populations for prevention and control measures. Earlier oral cancer diagnosis and treatment can increase the likelihood of a favourable outcome.