Oral cancers (OC) are among the most frequent malignancies encountered in Southeast Asia, primarily due to the prevalent habit of betel quid (BQ) and smokeless tobacco use in this region. Areca nut (AN), the primary ingredient in BQ, contains several alkaloids, including arecoline, arecaidine, guvacoline, and guvacine. These have been associated with both the AN abuse liability and carcinogenicity. Additionally, variations in AN alkaloid levels could lead to differences in the addictiveness and carcinogenic potential across various AN-containing products. Recent studies based on animal models and in vitro experiments show cellular and molecular effects induced by AN. These comprise promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, autophagy initiation, tissue hypoxia, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and cell death. Further, clinical research endorses these undesired harmful effects in humans. Oral submucosal fibrosis, a potentially malignant disease of the oral cavity, is predominantly reported from the geographical areas of the globe where AN is habitually chewed. OC in chronic AN users presents a more aggressive phenotype, such as resistance to anti-cancer drugs. The available evidence on the carcinogenicity of AN based on the findings reported in the recently published experimental studies is discussed in the present review.

Background: Precision healthcare has entered a new era because of the developments in personalized medicine, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This paper explores the dynamic landscape of personalized medicine as applied to HNSCC, encompassing both current developments and future prospects.Recent Findings: The integration of personalized medicine strategies into HNSCC diagnosis is driven by the utilization of genetic data and biomarkers. Epigenetic biomarkers, which reflect modifications to DNA that can influence gene expression, have emerged as valuable indicators for early detection and risk assessment. Treatment approaches within the personalized medicine framework are equally promising. Immunotherapy, gene silencing, and editing techniques, including RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9, offer innovative means to modulate gene expression and correct genetic aberrations driving HNSCC. The integration of stem cell research with personalized medicine presents opportunities for tailored regenerative approaches. The synergy between personalized medicine and technological advancements is exemplified by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. These tools empower clinicians to analyze vast datasets, predict patient responses, and optimize treatment strategies with unprecedented accuracy.Conclusion: The developments and prospects of personalized medicine in HNSCC diagnosis and treatment offer a transformative approach to managing this complex malignancy. By harnessing genetic insights, biomarkers, immunotherapy, gene editing, stem cell therapies, and advanced technologies like AI and ML, personalized medicine holds the key to enhancing patient outcomes and ushering in a new era of precision oncology.

Background and Aims: Cytotoxicity is a key disadvantage of using chemotherapeutic drugs to treat cancer. This can be overcome by encapsulating chemotherapeutic drugs in suitable carriers for targeted delivery, allowing them to be released only at the cancerous sites. Herein, we aim to review the recent scientific developments in the utilization of nanotechnology‐based drug delivery systems for treating oral malignancies that can lead to further improvements in clinical practice.Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and other notable databases to identify recent peer‐reviewed clinical trials, reviews, and research articles related to nanoplatforms and their applications in oral cancer treatment.Results: Nanoplatforms offer a revolutionary strategy to overcome the challenges associated with conventional oral cancer treatments, such as poor drug solubility, non‐specific targeting, and systemic toxicity. These nanoscale drug delivery systems encompass various formulations, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and hydrogels, which facilitate controlled release and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to oral cancer sites. By exploiting the enhanced permeability and retention effect, Nanoplatforms accumulate preferentially in the tumor microenvironment, increasing drug concentration and minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Additionally, nanoplatforms can be engineered to carry multiple drugs or a combination of drugs and diagnostic agents, enabling personalized and precise treatment approaches.Conclusion: The utilization of nanoplatforms in oral cancer treatment holds significant promise in revolutionizing therapeutic strategies. Despite the promising results in preclinical studies, further research is required to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and long‐term effects of nanoformulations in clinical settings. If successfully translated into clinical practice, nanoplatform‐based therapies have the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce side effects, and pave the way for more personalized and effective oral cancer treatments.

Oral cancer (OC) is the 16th most common cancer worldwide. In Sri Lanka, OC is the most prevalent cancer among men and the eighth among women. In most instances, OC is preceded by clinically recognizable disorders appearing on the oral mucosa, termed oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). The distribution of OC among low- and middle-income socioeconomic groups contributes to various factors. Poor oral health literacy, a lower quality of higher education, and the economic burden results in neglected oral health. The further economic recession has led to the formation of risk habits, such as chewing betel quid, smoking and the consumption of alcohol, among these groups to minimize stress levels. But with a lack of oral health awareness, the incidences of OC increase in this category. This review elaborates on a few cross-sectional studies conducted in various locations in Sri Lanka, discussing the low awareness of neglected oral health, the usage of tobacco in a smokeless and non-smokeless manner, consuming alcohol, and the chewing of betel nuts. This review aims to overcome the barriers in these low- and middle-income socioeconomic groups in developing nations such as Sri Lanka by creating more awareness and minimizing the incidence and diagnosis and treatment at early stages to improve the quality of life as well as longevity.

Over the years, Sri Lanka achieved excellent scores in health indicators relative to the national expenditure on health. However, due to several challenging situations such as the 2019 Easter bombings, COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, there was a depletion of the GDP as well as rising inflation. This created a humanitarian crisis for all socioeconomic groups. Among them, the health sector was widely affected, including healthcare providers and healthcare recipients. The objective of this study was to elaborate on the challenges faced in dental care delivery by private general dental practitioners and the impact on dental education for undergraduate and postgraduate dental students during the economic crisis. A descriptive cross-sectional survey-based questionnaire (n = 28) was conducted and assessed among the dental surgeons of various districts in Sri Lanka. An interviewer-based questionnaire was carried out via telephone conversation by the principal investigator of dental surgeons for those who managed and owned the respective dental clinic. Data from the computed questionnaires were analyzed using the SPSS Statistical Software Package (SPSS, Version 21). Descriptive statistics were expressed as frequency distributions and percentages. Based on the results, a significant decrease was observed in the number of patients requesting restorative dental procedures including implant crowns (36.29%), implant over dentures (35.63%), crowns (39.03%), bridges (49.12%), amalgam restorations (47.38%), composite restorations (42.11%) and dentures (49.69%). In surgical dental treatment, the extractions and surgical removal of teeth were reduced by 2.11% and 43.71%, respectively. The availability of dental materials such as light care composite (LCC) bonding, silver amalgam, impression materials and surgical consumables was reduced in the post-economic crisis situation compared to the pre-economic crisis status. Furthermore, dental laboratory charges per item, fees per procedure, salaries to support staff, utility bills including electricity and water, payments to government bodies, travelling costs to the clinic (for the doctor) and other expenses have increased in the post-economic period.