Use of Toothbrush as a Cost-effective Noninvasive Source of DNA for Molecular Oral Oncology Investigations during COVID Pandemic

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2021 Dec 1;22(12):1363-1364.

Abstract

Dear Editor, Oral cancer, specifically oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has shown to be a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among tobacco/alcohol users.1,2 A prominent area of research in oral oncology is in the development of economical noninvasive screening tools capable of stratifying high-risk individuals, especially among those with associated habits. Cancer cytopathology has developed into a major branch in onco-diagnostics. Its noninvasive nature has led to its acceptance as a screening tool, especially in larger populations. The major hindrance is that medical personnel is often required to collect the sample using cytological tools such as the cytobrush.3.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / genetics
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • DNA
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms*
  • Humans
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Pandemics

Substances

  • DNA