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There are no high-quality data on dietary behaviour of adolescents in India. This study aimed to assess the intake of energy (E), macronutrients and selected micronutrients in a sample of 11-13-year-old schoolchildren in Delhi, India. Participants from private schools (n=10) recorded dietary intake using a 3-d food diary. Information was entered into the dietary assessment tool, Intake24, to ascertain portion size and convert data into nutrient intake through integrated food tables. Of the 514 consenting participants, 393 (76·4 %) (169 girls, 224 boys) aged 11·4 (±1·8) years completed the study. The median (interquartile range (IQR) daily E intake was 2580 (2139·3-2989·8) kcal (10·8 (9·0 - 12·5) MJ) for girls and 2941·5 (2466·7-3599·3) kcal (12·3 (10·3-15·2) MJ) for boys. The median (IQR) daily nutrient intakes for girls and boys respectively were protein 64·6 (54·8-79·3) g, 74·4 (61·4; 89·4) g; carbohydrate 336·5 (285·3-393·6) g, 379·6 (317·8-461·8) g; and saturated fat 45·6 (34·8-58·3) g, 54·6 (41·9-69·5) g. There were no significant between-gender differences in percentage E from protein (10·2 (9·2-11·4)), or carbohydrate (52·4 (48·7-56·7)). Girls obtained less percentage E from saturated fat (16·1 (11·0-18·2) compared with boys 16·3 (14·2-19·1) (P < 0·05). E from saturated fat was above FAO recommendations in >74 % of participants. The estimated average requirement for iron was achieved by < 40 % of girls. In conclusion, strategies to optimise the dietary intake of adolescents in India should focus on preventing excess intakes of E and saturated fat and improving iron intake in girls.

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Reducing free sugars intake is important for the prevention of dental caries and obesity in children. The study aimed to determine the amount and sources of free sugars known to contribute to dental caries, and identify sociodemographic determinants of intake by children aged 5 years in Australia. Cross-sectional analysis of dietary data from a cohort study, collected using a customized food frequency questionnaire were used to calculate free sugars intake as grams/day and percentage contribution to Estimated Energy Requirement (EER). The percent contribution of food sources to free sugars intake was derived. Sociodemographic determinants of achieving intakes within WHO thresholds (i.e., <5% and <10% Energy were explored with multinomial logistic regression. Complete data were available for 641 children (347 boys, 294 girls). Median (IQR) free sugars intake (g/day) was 31.6 (21.3-47.6) in boys and 28.1 (19.6-47.9) in girls. The median (IQR) percentage contribution to EER was 7.9 (5.4-12.7); 21% and 42% of children had intakes <5% EER and between 5% and <10%, respectively. The main sources of free sugars were: (1) Cakes, Biscuits and Cereal Bars; (2) Sweetened Milk Products (predominantly yoghurts) and (3) Desserts. Maternal university education, single-parent household, and maternal place of birth being Australia or New Zealand were associated with free sugars intake <5% EER. In conclusion, less than a quarter of 5-year-old children in the SMILE cohort achieved the WHO recommendations to limit free sugars to <5% EER. Strategies to lower free sugars intake could target priority populations such migrants, populations with lower levels of education or health literacy and identify areas for intervention in the wider food environments that children are exposed to.

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INTRODUCTION: In India every year, an estimated 1 million people die from tobacco-related illnesses, which could have been avoided by stopping tobacco use. This study aimed to determine the tobacco dependence and perceptions about tobacco cessation among the patients attending a tertiary care dental hospital. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted among the individuals visiting the dental hospital. Self-administered questionnaires were used to record quantitative data on the current and past tobacco history, tobacco dependence, and quit attempts. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data on the perceptions on tobacco quitting. RESULTS: About 52% of participants had made an attempt to quit tobacco in the past. The majority of the smokers (82.7%), smokeless tobacco (SLT) users (71.3%), and dual users (83.1%) reported being in the contemplation phase of quitting tobacco. SLT users (12.3%) reported to have taken action in the past to quit tobacco compared to 9.6% smokers, and 1.4% of dual users. Doctors advise, motivation from family and friends motivated the participants to quit tobacco. The risk perception of tobacco use was reported as death, cancer, dental diseases, systemic diseases like chest congestion, cough, tuberculosis, lung cancer, and general body weakness. However, some of the participants were unaware of the methods to quit tobacco, some had misconceptions that shifting to other forms of tobacco and alcohol could help in quitting, and considered SLT to be less harmful than smoking forms. CONCLUSION: Majority of the participants were willing to quit tobacco and had taken measures to quit in the past. There is a need to increase the awareness among the tobacco users about the health risk of tobacco use, and motivate them to utilize the existing cessation services available.

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BACKGROUND: The extensive reach of AYUSH health professionals allows them to provide profound quality care to the unreachable. These professionals from the traditional system of medicine form fundamental part of the health care system. If adequately trained on oral health they can play a remarkable role in oral health promotion and prevention of oral diseases. OBJECTIVE: A training strategy was thus chalked out and this study was conducted to assess the knowledge of AYUSH health professionals on oral health and the impact of this training intervention in improving their knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An interventional study via self structured pre and post questionnaire on 49 participants assessed the knowledge of participants on oral health promotion. The needs assessment revealed that all the AYUSH health practitioners felt the need to participate in oral health promotion training. RESULTS: A significant increase in mean knowledge scores from 12.56 ± 2.26 to 15.26 ± 1.40 of AYUSH professionals was seen after a one day training programme. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that the utilization of AYUSH health professionals for oral health promotion and education can aid as a valuable tool for population based oral health promotion approaches.

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Background Nursing and allied health professionals are helping hands for healthcare and are important in the training cascade. We aimed to develop and validate the effectiveness of a web-based learning module on oral health promotion among nursing and allied health professionals. Methods We developed and validated an oral health module focused on prevention and promotion for a web-based intervention among nurses and allied health professionals. Pre- and post-test assessment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme. Results Of a total of 347 participants, 170 (48.9%) had a good knowledge score in the pre-test, and after attending the oral health module their number increased to 267 (76.9%). The mean difference between the pre-test and post-test scores was statistically significant (p<0.005). Conclusions Training of nurses and allied health professionals on oral health through a web-based module showed improvement in oral health literacy.

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Cancers of the lip and oral cavity are the most common cancers among men in the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region. Most cancers of the oral cavity are attributable to tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco use and areca-nut product use, alone or in combination, and excessive consumption of alcohol. These risk factors are highly prevalent in parts of the region. This paper outlines an integrated framework for oral cancer prevention, which includes a strengthened primary health-care workforce, enhanced community engagement and a positive policy environment. Operationalizing this framework could be greatly facilitated by the application of digital technologies. Robust evidence exists for the effectiveness of using appropriately trained primary health-care workers to screen for oral cancer by oral visual examination; this can be combined with counselling for riskbehaviour modification as part of an overall strategy on noncommunicable diseases. This needs to be supported by greater overall community engagement, for example to tackle low levels of awareness of the harmful effects of smokeless tobacco and areca-nut products. A strong policy environment that supports and promotes these efforts is essential, along with the enforcement of the measures required by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Despite the burden of disease, oral cancer has been a neglected area of public health. This paper considers how the positively disruptive effects of digital technology may enable much-needed acceleration in prevention and control efforts.

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Oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontitis, and edentulism (toothlessness), affect about 3.5 billion people worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of government employees employed at an organization in New Delhi. Oral health information was recorded using the standard World Health Organization's (WHO) Oral Health Assessment Tool. A total of 476 employees at various levels of administration were screened at their worksite. Dental caries and periodontal disease were present in more than half of the participants. Around 56% had decayed teeth, 20% had missing teeth, and 16% had filled teeth. Bleeding from gums was seen in 71% and periodontitis in 59% of participants. Preventive treatment and oral health promotion was required in at least 41% of the screened individuals. Annual workplace oral examinations may help in decreasing the oral disease burden and create awareness on the oral health among employees.

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Dental diseases and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) share common risks. Omnipresent and easily available sugars are a contributing risk factor for overweight, obesity, and diabetes. In addition, sugar consumption is known to cause dental caries in early childhood (early childhood caries) and in adults. It has been noticed that the prevalence of NCDs is increasing each year, leading to 70% of deaths. A symposium of diverse academicians was convened to identify the gaps in evidence, policy, and advocacy for action on sugars, emphasizing on its detrimental effects on oral health. Existence of policies on sugars, experiences of other countries, feasibility in India, and the role of public health dentists, public, and stakeholders were discussed. Policy priorities in India and advocacy to strengthen action against inappropriate sugar intake could help address the growing burden of sugar-related NCDs. Recommendations to this end were put forth by the panel of experts.

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