3 News 8/19 Genome-wide analysis finds genetic link between oral health and cardiovascular- metabolic factors by Dental Tribune International UMEÅ, Sweden: Researchers from the Institute of Odontology at Umeå University in Sweden collaborated with the Bristol Dental School in the UK, in the largest study of its kind, in order to improve our understanding on the role our genes in oral health. The team collected meta-data from thousands of patients and was able to identify 47 new genes with connections to tooth decay. Also, they used Mendelian randomisation to find a genetic link between oral health and cardiovascular- metabolic factors According to the 2016 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study, dental caries in permanent teeth and periodontitis were the leading and 11th most prevalent causes of disease worldwide in 2016. Another study in 2015 estimated the global cost of dental diseases to be more than 540 billion US dollars. Even after knowing that the genetic contribution to oral health outcomes and the heritability of dental caries and periodontitis happens to be as high as 50%, the nature of this contribution remains poorly characterised. We know that an increased understanding of genetic factors can improve our knowledge of the aetiology and clinical management of oral diseases, yet the role of genes in oral health remains understudied. One of the reasons for this is that the complex nature of tooth decay and periodontitis requires extensive studies to draw firm conclusions. Researchers, in order to fulfil the large data requirement, took the data from nine international clinical studies with 62,000 participants and merged it with the data on self-reported dental health from the UK Biobank, involving 461,000 participants. Ingegerd Senior Professor at the Institute of Odontology, the lead researcher at Umeå University, said, “The study makes it clear that teeth are part of the body. Among other things, we can see that there seems to be a causal link between risk factors for cardiovascular disease and tooth decay.” Johansson, The data analysis could identify 47 new genetic loci with connections to tooth decay. The research also confirmed a previously known immune- related gene to be linked to periodontitis. The genes linked For the first time, researchers have been able to pinpoint genes that can have an effect on oral health. (Image: Arek Socha/ Pixabay) to tooth decay included those that help form teeth and the jawbone, those with protective functions in saliva and those which affect the bacteria found on the teeth. The researchers used a technique called Mendelian randomisation, to find a genetic link between oral health and cardiovascular- metabolic risk factors such as smoking, obesity, education and personality. They stated that there might be a causal link between decay and some cardiovascular-metabolic risk factors. AIIMS to carry out the largest nationwide dental survey for national oral health policy and Research, Education Chandigarh, and Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, strategies The data collected in this survey would act as a baseline for planning preventive and treatment in oral healthcare in India. There is no India specific policy on oral and dental health, and there is an urgent need to create one. The data collected in this survey will be a part of the oral and dental health policy that will bring all aspects related to oral and dental health under a single umbrella. Dr O P Kharbanda, Chief, Centre for Dental Education and Research, AIIMS. „Multiple surveys have been conducted in the past, some at the institutional level and some regional. The last national- level survey was conducted in 2002 and this exercise in 2019, seventeen years later, is vital and will bring out glaring facts about the need for oral health interventions and the changing paradigm of dental diseases,“ said Dr OP Kharbanda, Chief, Centre for Dental Education and Research, AIIMS. Centre for Dental Education and Research (CDER), AIIMS will undertake the largest nationwide oral health survey this year to identify gaps in dental education, human resources and treatment. (Photo: Wikipedia) by Dental Tribune South Asia New Delhi, India: A series of workshops conducted at AIIMS, Delhi have drafted the survey guidelines as a part of the process to create an all-encompassing policy related to oral health. The data collected in this survey would act as a baseline for planning preventive treatment strategies in oral healthcare in India. Once the policy is notified, the health ministry of India will work on a national strategic implementation and framework with implementation points. detailed the Centre for Dental Education and Research (CDER), AIIMS will undertake largest nationwide oral health survey this year to identify gaps in dental education, human resources and treatment. The study will take place in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, which has identified CDER as the National Centre for Excellence for oral and dental health. Also, it will be supervised by a committee of representatives from AIIMS, Post Graduate Institute of Medical The survey will create a new baseline by recording specific, representative data on the most prevalent dental diseases in the country like dental decay, gum diseases, dentofacial deformities, cancerous dental fluorosis and dental trauma etc. It will also bring out glaring facts about the need for oral health interventions. lesions, sampling The survey is designed by an expert committee of dentists representing various oral health specialities and health ministry officials, who have formulated the strategies, planning and timelines of the survey. Scientifically validated guidelines will be utilised for sampling, and recording of data by experts. The survey logistics, necessary resources infrastructure and have also been thoroughly discussed. examination „It is an all-encompassing policy related to oral health,” said Dr Kharbanda. „The plan is to ensure trained, and calibrated oral health workforce examines the teeth following protocols in coherence with global guidelines to bring out an authentic data bank that acts as a baseline to Dr O P Kharbanda, Chief, Centre for Dental Education and Research, AIIMS. plan preventive and treatment strategies,“ he added. The survey will collect oral health data of the children in early years of life, examine the geriatric groups to assess their prosthetic treatment needs considering the increasing life expectancy, the impact of traditional oral hygiene practices, and the effects of high sugar diet on oral health, and much more.\ Once the policy is notified, the health ministry of India will work on a national strategic implementation framework with detailed implementation points.