Oral Screening Device

D-ORAL

“D-ORAL” is an innovative oral screening device  which can screen 6 major oral diseases such as dental caries and cavities, gum diseases, oral cancer, malocclusion, fluorosis, and hairy tongue. It runs under the principle of Fluorescence Imaging technology which emits blue light under a certain wavelength to enhance and detect lesions. This technology is extremely safe, extremely efficient, super productive, in screening. Device is also powered with Artificial Intelligence support and cloud access connecting with all kinds of doctors 24*7 around the world anytime and anywhere. This device can be operated easily by ANM/PARAMEDIC remotely on a digital platform. With the help of the device, we can screen 50 patients per day, and it takes 6-8 minutes to screen per patient.

oral care is mostly an ignored subject of health by the population. Good oral hygiene is directly related to good health. So, failure to disrupt and clean your teeth effectively and frequently can lead to oral diseases such as dental caries and cavities, gum diseases and loss of tooth in extreme cases. Due to lack of awareness of oral health, the prevalence of oral diseases has increased in the past few years.

So presently ,dental diseases are examined with dental diagnostic x-rays . These remain as one of the most common types of radiological procedures that are frequently performed in dental clinics for oral examinations. Considering the lifetime frequency of exposure to dental diagnostic x-rays, even a slight increase in health risk would be of considerable public health importance. 

Several studies have found an association between dental x-ray exposure and causing increased risks of brain cancer, tumors of parotid glands, breast cancer and thyroid cancer.

So, Screening of six major oral diseases will help to avoid the risk of exposure to unnecessary harmful radiations per visit. A preventive screening with our D-oral using Fluorescence Imaging technology should be done to check the oral health of an individual and identify the growth of several diseases in their early stages.

Principle of the device

Principle Technology

Use of fluroescence imaging
technology

Finding Fluorophores

This device tunes the hardware to appropriate dynamic wavelengths of excitation light to identify abnormal tissues in different environments of screening

Excitation of light

Picture1

when the fluorescence light is emitted over the region to be screened, oral mucosa(healthy tissue) will enter into an excited state and come back to ground state producing green fluorescence light. Whereas the lesion lacks an ability to produce green fluorescence light.

BENEFITS

  • an oral health screening device can easily detect 6 major oral diseases that show great impact on oral health. screening  in early stages can help to avoid progression and also improves the quality of life.
  • Since the device is on a digital platform paramedic can screen healthy patients remotely by taking images and will send it to the doctor for further diagnosis and treatment.so the reports can be generated rapidly and also it is cost effective.
  • The impact of poor oral health can lead to major deterioration of systemic health such as Cardiovascular diseases, pregnancy complications, pulmonary disorders, diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis .So oral health is a key to overall health.
  • A frequent exposure to dental diagnostic x-rays can increase the risk of causing brain cancer, tumors of parotid glands, breast cancer and thyroid cancer.. So, Screening of six major oral diseases will help to avoid the risk of exposure to unnecessary harmful radiations per visit.
  • Screening in pre and post operative care and also post covid will help to detect several diseases.

WHY ORAL SCREENING

Despite having the maximum number of dental facilities in India, oral care is mostly an ignored subject of health by the population. 90% of the population suffers from oral diseases which can easily be prevented.

Due to lack of awareness of oral health, the prevalence of oral diseases has increased in the past few years. In total population, prevalence of dental caries is about 54.16%, prevalence of gum diseases is about 85% , malocclusion is about 20-43%, oral cancer is approximately 30%, fluorosis in almost 25 million people presently affected and hairy tongue is about 5.30%.

Patients visit the dentist only when there is an acute pain, swelling and other sos conditions.

So, preventive screening with our D-oral should be done to check the oral health of an individual and identify the growth of several diseases in their early stages.

Aged 6 -14

Dental Caries and cavities, Malocclusion, Pulpal lesions and Abnormalities in tooth development are most common dental problems in children. dental screening at this age ensure your child primary tooth stay healthy without any decay

Aged 15 - 49

Gum diseases, decayed or missing tooth, dry mouth, oral cancer and hairy tongue are seen. Abnormal food habits and poor oral hygiene in turn effects your oral health causing systemic problems. such as brain stroke, CVD, pregnancy complications and renal disorders.  

50 and above

periodontal disease, dental caries, tooth loss, receding gums and oral cancer are seen. chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease can put seniors at an increased risk for dental problems. screening at this age group can provide a quality life to the individual.  

ESSENTIALITY OF ORAL SCREENING

01 Cardiovascular Diseases

  • Gum diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis) are associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
  • Poor oral hygiene will increase the risk of bacterial infection into the bloodstream(bacteremia), leading to infective endocarditis, myocardial infarction and also shows affect on the walls of  coronary arteries.

02 Diabetes mellitus

  • Diabetic patients are more prone to gum diseases as they have a bi directional relationship , that is increase in
    glucose levels will also increase the infection in gums.
  •  People with diabetes loose their teeth sooner than compared to people with out diabetes

03 Pregnancy complications

  • Every pregnant woman has to undergo an oral screening during pregnancy to prevent low birth weight and a preterm delivery.
  • Presence of oral infection during pregnancy will be 7.5 times greater risk to both mother and the infant

04 Renal diseases

  • Chronic kidney disease and reduced GFR are one of the main risk factors for deteriorating renal function
  • Poor oral hygiene has also shown some affects on renal function.so oral screening is must to avoid further renal  diseases.

05 Pulmonary Disease

  • Gum diseases can also show impact on respiratory system as oral cavity is the main entry of bacteria into the lungs causing pneumonia, COPD and asthma
  • Infection leading to an inflammation in the airways is one of the factor that leads to more frequent
    symptoms and respiratory diseases.

06Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • The bacteria that causes chronic gum disease may also trigger the auto immune disease that is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
  • Prevention of oral health can help to avoid treatment of RA.

07 brain stroke

  • Bacteria that builds up in the arteries will reduce the blood flow to the brain causing brain stroke.
  • This bacteria is predominantly found in the oral cavity. So poor oral hygiene can lead to an infarction in the brain.

ORAL DISEASES THAT MAY CAUSE OTHER SYSTEMIC DISEASES

WHY PREVENTION IS REQUIRED IN ORAL HEALTH

During tooth infection, pus is accumulated in the cavity region.
This is not visible from outside except when swelling / inflammation occurs. Once the swollen area ruptures, bacteria from the tooth infection can spread and damage the surrounding bones, tissues, teeth and effects other parts of the body through bloodstream.

List of Major Oral Diseases

The common oral diseases are

  • Cavities / tooth decay
  • Gingivities & Periodontitis
    Gum diseases
  •  Precancerous  lesions

Oral health screening device can screen the below mentioned diseases

  • Tooth decay/cavities
  • Gum diseases-Gingivitis & Periodontitis
  • Precancerous  Lesions
  • Mouth Ulcers
  • Fluorosis overview – Especially
    for children
  • Malocclusion- especially for
    children
  • Hairy tongue – especially for Adults

Proposed Scenario

Proposed scenario for overall oral
health

  • regular screening will help to improve
    Dental/ Oral health
  • Footfalls increase for doctors
  • Improves quality of life and lifestyle.
  • Reduce procedure / treatment cost.