Cultural and social factors impact not only the general health but also the dental health

of a given population. In many parts of the world they are so strong that masses of population can be found to be affected due to their impacts. Some of the traditions are so old and people are so strongly adhered to them that it gets very difficult to educate the masses about potential harms that these can do to their health and well being (Chandra Shekar and Raja Babu, 2009). In many Indian states, such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal people chew Pan (a roll of betel leaf containing slaked slime, areca nut and catechu, with or without tobacco). It is a custom to even offer it to the guests. This habit of chewing pan, over the years, can lead to oral diseases like fibrosis of oral sub mucosa, oral neoplasias and periodontal diseases (Chandra Shekar and Raja Babu, 2009). Another example of influence of culture is commonly seen in other Indian states like Andhra Pradesh and Northern Karnatka where people consume more of spicy food such as green chilies which may cause oral sub mucosa fibrosis and oral malignancies. People in rural areas use brick, charcoal, rangoli powder, mud, salt, ash etc for the purpose of cleaning teeth. This may cause recession of gums, tooth abrasion and dentin sensitivity (Chandrashekar and Rajababu, 2009). In Chinese culture and belief, gum diseases are caused by mixture of problems such as taking too cold and hot drinks, illnesses and incorrect tooth brushing (Jiang, Petersen, Peng, Tai, and Bian, 2005). They believe that direct application of white wine to aching tooth decrease pain. According to Feng, Newton, & Robinson (2001), in Chinese culture, esthetic appearance of teeth is given high importance. It is believed that people with bad appearance of teeth have low intellectual competence and that it interferes with a persons psychological development. People with low socioeconomic status have more chances of diseases like caries, obesity and diabetes because of many factors. These include lack of access to healthy food, lack of education, inability to afford preventative care and treatment. Factors affecting food choice are cultural preferences and increased cost of healthy food (Mouradian, Huebner, Ramos-Gomez, and Slavkin, 2007). References Chandrashekar, B. R., & Rajababu, P. (2009). Cultural factors in health and oral health. Indian Journal of Dental Advancements 1 (1). Retrieved from http://www.nacd.in/ijda/volume-01-issue-01/8-cultural-factors-in-health-and-oralhealth Feng, X. P., Newton, J. T., & Robinson, P. G. (2001). The impact of dental appearance on perceptions of personal characteristics among Chinese people in the United Kingdom. International Dental Journal 51(4), 282-286. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11570543?dopt=Abstract Jiang, H., Petersen, P. E., Peng, B., Tai, B., & Bian Z. (2005). Self-assessed dental health, oral health practices, and general health behaviors in Chinese urban adolescents. Acta odontologica Scandinavica 63(6), 343-352. Mouradian, W. E., Huebner, C. E., Ramos-Gomez, F., & Slavkin, H. C. (2007). Beyond access: The role of family and community in childrens oral health. Journal of

Dental Education 71(5), 619-631. Retrieved from http://www.jdentaled.org/content/71/5/619.full.pdf+html