At the end of January 2024, a select group was brought together on the South Bank in London by KENVUE for the inaugural Dental Schools Advisory Board meeting.
The overarching aim was to discuss the current evidence base to support oral health recommendations and to find out how KENVUE can best support dental schools and the future of dentistry for the most beneficial patient outcomes.
In attendance were:
- Sarah Bain, Bristol Dental School
- Sarah Barber, University of Portsmouth Dental Academy
- Emma Bingham, University of Sheffield School of Clinical Dentistry
- Bal Chana, Queen Mary Institute of Dentistry
- Zoe Coyle, Edinburgh Dental Institute, University of Edinburgh
- Sarah Duerden, University of Central Lancashire School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Sarah Murray, Queen Mary Institute of Dentistry
- Adetunji Otemade, King’s College London, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences
- Benjamin Tighe, Eastman Dental Hospital.
The event was chaired by Professor Iain Chapple, who, alongside Professor Chris Deery, steered discussions to ensure participants understood that the most valuable aspect of the event was to be able to have an open and frank debate. This came after the evidence base for challenging traditional paradigms in relation to periodontal diseases and caries was presented by the pair.
Commenting on the day, Dr Rob Lee,BChD, BSc (Hons), who was appointed Dental Scientific Liaison Team Lead for Listerine Professional in 2023, said: ‘This is the first time KENVUE has held an advisory board dedicated to dental schools. It was a privilege to learn about the needs and expectations of the gathered group, discuss the latest evidence base and how we might be able to support them in the future. We are looking forward to strengthening relationships and ongoing discussions over the ensuing months and years.’
At the end of the day, the group aligned on the following general consensus*, which can now be used to inform future collaborative efforts and share among the dental community.
‘Biofilm driven oral diseases represent a major burden to human health and the economy.
‘Patient education that promotes early regular biofilm disruption and reduction is a key primary prevention strategy for gingivitis and dental caries, consistent with minimally interventive operative approaches.
‘Specific thresholds from national guidelines should be personalised to individual patients using clinical judgment underpinned by the evidence base. S3 level clinical guidelines form the basis for best practice.
‘Published guidance supports the message ‘spit don’t rinse with water’. However, evidence clearly highlights benefit from the adjunctive use of ≥226ppm fluoride containing mouthrinses (with proven antimicrobial effects) post brushing unless specifically contraindicated (e.g. children under 8).’
For further information, please visit www.academy-plus.co.uk/listerine.
*General consensus achieved with eight out of nine delegates in complete alignment.
References
Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, and NHS Improvement 2021
Duckworth RM et al. Effects of flossing and rinsing with a fluoridated mouthwash after brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste on salivary fluoride clearance. Caries Research 2009; 43(5): 387-390.
