The Chicago Dental Society (CDS) announces the relaunch of an enhanced membership benefit, the Member Advantage Program. The program has added two new partners, Safco Dental Supply and Torch Dental, who join Amazon Business, Southpoint Insurance, and Treloar & Heisel.

“We’re very excited to offer our members a suite of new benefits through the Member Advantage Program,” said CDS President Dr. David Lewis. “The CDS staff worked hard to expand the program to five dedicated partnerships, but we’re not done yet. We’ll continue to build the partnership network to provide our members access to even more benefits that complement their dental careers.”

The Member Advantage Program provides discounts and opportunities to enhance a CDS member’s career. From primary and specialty dental supply distributors to insurance plans and office supply distributors, the Member Advantage Program provides CDS members with access to exclusive product and supply discounts, inventory management tracking and insurance plans to provide members with security. To take advantage of the deals provided by Member Advantage Program partners, CDS members and associate members can visit the Member Center on CDS.org and sign up with each partner. Most Member Advantage Program partners include exclusive sign-up deals for CDS members.

“Joining CDS was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career,” said CDS member and New Dentist Board Director Dr. Sara Imtiaz. “The professional connections and friendships I’ve built through CDS are irreplaceable and have opened many doors for me. It’s incredible to have access to so many dental professionals across Chicago but also right in your neighborhood. Beyond the many networking and educational benefits a CDS membership provides, I’m excited to be able to take advantage of financial savings on products my dental team uses every day.”

The Member Advantage Program is the latest addition to a suite of benefits CDS members enjoy. A CDS membership provides members with:

• • Free registration to the Midwinter Meeting (the largest, longest-running scientific dental tradeshow in the industry)

• • Rebate for a purchase made on the exhibit floor at the Midwinter Meeting

• • Free registration for members and their dental teams at CDS Regional Meetings

• • Classified advertising discounts

• • Patient referral service

• • Mediation and peer review services

• • Subscription to the CDS Review magazine

• • Admission to exclusive networking and social events, such as the Early Career and New Dentist Networking event

• • Membership to one of the nine CDS branches for hyperlocal networking and camaraderie with like-minded colleagues

• • Access to top tier continuing education opportunities at the Midwinter Meeting, CDS Regional Meetings and CDS branch meetings

About the Chicago Dental Society

Trust a Chicago Dental Society (CDS) dentist with more than just your smile. Talk with them and you’ll see their work is an investment in not just your oral health, but your overall health. They are current on the dental trends and technology through extensive CDS continuing education programs, including the Midwinter Meeting. Ranking among Chicago’s top 20 conventions, the CDS Midwinter Meeting—one of North America’s largest exhibits of dental products and professional dentistry—typically welcomes nearly 22,000 dental professionals each year and generates more than $26 million for the local economy (according to Choose Chicago). The largest local component of the American Dental Association, the non-profit Chicago Dental Society represents dentists across the Chicago region. They’re your neighbors, friends, and community anchors. Connect with the Chicago Dental Society at cds.org, where you’ll find our easy-to-navigate Find-a-CDS Dentist search tool. Or, connect on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.

VideaHealth, the leading dental AI software company, and Henry Schein One, a leader in dental software, today announced an expanded partnership to bring AI to the dental education market through Henry Schein One cloud-based academic software, Ascend Academic. Detect AI powered and manufactured by VideaHealth is now available to Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, and Ascend Academic customers.

Approximately 7,000 dental hygienists graduate annually, yet that number is insufficient to meet the demand from dental practices. With Detect AI powered and manufactured by VideaHealth, hygiene students will become faster, more accurate, and more efficient when reviewing radiographs, accelerating their learning curve and bringing new skills and insight to program graduates.

Jonathan Brennan, MD, DMD, MPH, associate dean of innovation and curriculum at Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH), said, “Dental AI’s positive impact in an educational setting cannot be overstated, as it offers the opportunity for students to refine their diagnostic skills before they ever see a patient. I expect that clinicians trained in school with dental AI will graduate with finer skills than ever before, with a higher degree of confidence in their treatment recommendations as well as greater diagnostic accuracy.”

VideaHealth’s investment in education will kick off with a focus on dental hygiene schools, conducted in partnership with Henry Schein One, and will provide near immediate access to Detect AI through the seamless integration with Ascend Academic. In addition to partnering on the technology integration, VideaHealth’s investment includes the creation of training modules to equip educators with the proper tools and information to best leverage dental AI in the classroom.

“Today Henry Schein One serves 80% of U.S. dental academic institutions with our axiUm solution portfolio,” said Rachel Nelson, VP, Global Academic Solutions, Henry Schein One. “As we continue to expand our presence across the dental education industry and into dental hygiene schools with Ascend Academic and Detect AI, we can further empower hygienists to utilize AI, significantly reducing dental problems through patient education and early detection.”

Students learning and training with dental AI insights can simulate patient cases and real-time feedback, enhance their interpretations and treatment planning skills before ever entering clinical practice, and help jump-start their careers. In addition, they will be able to hone their treatment recommendation skills, bolstered by sophisticated patient visualizations.

Florian Hillen, CEO of VideaHealth, said, "This is a milestone moment for the market. Educators have been asking for dental AI to help train their students, and we are proud to meet that need. Dental AI is an invaluable tool; helping future clinicians develop their skills, experience, and insight will give them the confidence to do their work well and to share those insights with patients.”

SOURCE: VideaHealth

The Executive Board and Diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) recognize Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month in April. Many ABOMS Diplomates are experts in head and neck cancer, which account for about 4 percent of cancer cases in the United States. They see this month as an opportunity to educate the public.

"By educating patients about oral cancer and its signs, we can provide timely help and offer reassurance about the latest advances in reconstructive surgery, which can restore their quality of life," explained Dhafer Alsuwied, DDS.

Symptoms, risk factors, and prevention

Symptoms of head and neck cancer typically begin in the mouth, nose, and throat, and may include: persistent sore throat, lumps, sores, difficulty swallowing, or a hoarse voice. Men are about twice as likely as women to develop oral cancers; other risk factors include:

Heavy tobacco use

High alcohol consumption

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

Family history of cancer

To prevent these cancers, patients should quit tobacco, limit alcohol, and consider receiving the HPV vaccine when indicated. Screening at routine dental check-ups is also key.

The expertise required to manage head and neck cancers

The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) certifies oral and maxillofacial surgeons who have proven their qualifications and expertise through education, training, and a thorough examination process. Diplomates are also required to undergo annual Certification Maintenance to prove ongoing competence.

Beyond its rigorous certification process, ABOMS also offers Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Head and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery, which indicates that a surgeon has significant skills in this specialized area and emphasizes it in their practice. Eric R. Carlson, DMD, MD, EdM, FACS explained that the education required for this specialty is rigorous.

"Aspiring oral surgeons with an interest in our subspecialty are taking on a career path that will involve numerous years of training and experience to practice at a high level. There are no shortcuts to proper training in oral/head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgery, but the end result is a highly gratifying career." He added, "Participation in our subspecialty is truly a labor of love."

Patients looking for a highly qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon for their oncology team should look for this kind of specialized training and certification.

About the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) is the certifying board for the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the United States. Overseen by an eight-member Board of Directors, the mission of ABOMS is to ensure that Diplomate surgeons meet our standards of training, education, and professionalism through our certification process. The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery headquarters are located at 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave Suite 1370, Chicago, IL 60631, and can be reached by phone at (312) 642-0070 or online at www.aboms.org.

Provides front offices and patients with accurate, up-to-date insurance information for more transparent cost conversations

RevenueWell, a leading patient experience software and digital marketing services partner for dental practices, announced the launch of a new product: Dental Insurance Verification, an automated tool to verify patients’ insurance. As an add-on to the RevenueWell Marketing Platform, Dental Insurance Verification helps dental practices deliver accurate, reliable insurance information to patients for better care and satisfaction. The tool automates the verification process so front office teams can provide up-to-date insurance information to patients, so they know what’s covered and what they’ll owe.

“Dental practices continue to carry the burden of inefficient, inaccurate, and often costly insurance verification tools,” said Steve Prosser, Chief Technology Officer of RevenueWell. “The amount of time spent each week verifying a patient’s active insurance is astounding, not to mention the efforts going into training new office staff on how to do it. RevenueWell’s automated insurance verification takes a novel approach by automatically validating insurance directly from provider portals and clearinghouses, then cross-referencing and cleansing the results. Our solution provides much greater accuracy, with access to a significantly larger pool of providers and treatment codes to automatically verify against.”

Verifying insurance is a time-consuming process that involves calling or logging into different provider portals to collect information. With RevenueWell’s insurance verification, it alleviates some of the burden for front office teams by providing full verification and eligibility reports to assist putting together cost estimates for patients. This is done by using a powerful combination of data directly from the provider portals, clearinghouses, and PMS data to verify information. The system checks, matches, and cleanses the patients’ information against different sources to provide accurate insurance data.

Insurance verification enables practices to verify a patient’s insurance prior to their appointment. Practices will receive a form containing a full benefits breakdown or eligibility details based on what the system provides. Practices can download all this information directly from RevenueWell and use this information to provide patients with cost estimates.

RevenueWell’s Dental Insurance Verification benefits include:

● High data accuracy and quality: Receive accurate, up-to-date insurance information from the RevenueWell system which pulls data directly from the provider portals, clearinghouses, and PMS data. It scrubs the data to ensure practice teams receive up-to-date information related to coverage, cost breakdown, histories, and more.

● Better team efficiency: Automation can minimize the time spent making phone calls or navigating provider portals, allowing practice teams to spend more time with patients and other critical tasks.

● Shorten appointment lead time: Verify insurance information faster to get patients in sooner for their appointments, instead of waiting days or weeks for insurance details by mail.

● Increase patient satisfaction: Facilitate transparent communication around coverage and costs with patients to help patients understand their financial responsibilities so they can make informed decisions around their dental care. Patients are more likely to return to the practice and accept treatments because they trust the practice team to give them the right information around their insurance.

“The launch of insurance verification is an exciting time for RevenueWell,” said Katherine Shuman, CEO of RevenueWell. “Every tool we build is intended to help the practice team be successful in their jobs and deliver a positive experience for patients. And that’s what Dental Insurance Verification does. It enables practices to automate the verification process, so they have confidence knowing the data they get back is accurate and reliable, making it easier to have transparent cost conversations with patients. This leads to better patient relationships, improved case acceptance, and higher patient retention, all of which help strengthen their reputation in their community and grow their practice.”

For more information about RevenueWell Dental Insurance Verification and how it can improve the dental practice’s insurance process, visit revenuewell.com/dental-insurance-verification.  

The dental healthcare and orthodontics organization recognizes its 250+ Dental Hygienists that work daily to protect the teeth, gums, and total health of its diverse patient population.

Benevis, a leading dental healthcare and orthodontics delivery organization committed to providing quality care to underserved communities, announced today that they will unite as an organization in celebration of Dental Hygienist Week from April 8 through 12, 2024. The Benevis team of dental professionals includes over 250 Dental Hygienists who provide high-quality dental care and oral health education for their patients. In honor of their commitment to comprehensive care for children and adults to prevent dental disease, Benevis dental homes across 13 states and the District of Columbia will host a number of unique celebrations throughout the week.

At Benevis, Dental Hygienists are often the first care team member patients encounter and through routine cleanings, the ones they build a trusted and lasting relationship. The oral health education and support in providing happy healthy smile tips they provide are vital for patients’ health as most dental diseases are preventable. Benevis’ Dental Hygienists truly are the backbone of the organization and central to the success of its oral healthcare delivery model that delivers treatment through 1.4 million patient visits each year.

“At Benevis, we recognize the vital role that our Dental Hygienists play during national Dental Hygienist Week but also every other week of the year as they make up such an essential part of our organization’s DNA,” said Dominique Szach, Director of Dental Hygiene, Benevis. “As an industry it is important to recognize the invaluable contributions that they make daily in oral care delivery and that they are not support staff. Dental Hygienists can see their own patients and in certain states, they can even open their own practices, further extending the reach and impact of Benevis’ care delivery model.”

For over 20 years, Benevis has been a leader in expanding access to affordable, high-quality care for disadvantaged communities with Dental Hygienists helping to lead the charge. Benevis care teams have helped approximately five million children and adults, including 82% who are enrolled in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program plans, achieve their healthy smile goals through its network of more than 100 locally dental homes.

“It’s important to remember that Dental Hygienists are dental providers and when they are supported, they can be most efficient and effective, empowering them and the dentists they work alongside to practice at the top of their license at all times,” said Dr. Jane Whang, Regional Director of Clinical for the East Region, Benevis. “Our care teams play an integral role in how we approach delivering the highest quality of oral care to underserved populations, providing the necessary educational, clinical, and consultative services to put patients on a better path to improved oral health. The level of care our Dental Hygienists are trained to offer is especially valuable within our model of seeing a high volume of patients allowing them to efficiently provide high quality oral treatments to as many families as possible.”

For dental hygienists interested in joining the Benevis team, please visit https://careers.benevis.com/careers for more information.

Virtual Curriculum Kicks-Off with Free Webinar: "Do More with Your All-Tissue Laser"

As the landscape of laser dentistry continues to evolve, Dental Laser Coaching (DLC) recently launched its new online dental laser training portal. View available laser courses here. New courses will be added over time.

While traditional live laser training sessions remain valuable, the advent of user-friendly online platforms has democratized access to comprehensive laser coaching. This is why the DLC Portal will feature an innovative online curriculum, designed to empower a wider audience of dental professionals to effectively optimize their laser technology. Whether a practitioner has owned a laser for one month or one-year, the DLC Portal is designed to guide their journey towards success.

According to Company Founder and CEO Nick Clausen, “Our mission is to ensure that all laser owners maximize the full benefits of their investments. With over two decades of experience collaborating with major laser manufacturers and dental practices nationwide, the DLC Portal will offer a unique online approach that accelerates the achievement of desired results.”

Laser dentistry provides a host of benefits for patients and practitioners alike. A laser’s precision allows for minimally invasive treatments, reducing discomfort during and after procedures. Moreover, lasers promote faster healing times and preserve healthy tissue

and ultimately enhancing the overall patient experience. It’s easy to see why lasers have become a standard of care in dentistry.

However, despite these advantages, transitioning to laser dentistry presents unique challenges for practitioners accustomed to traditional ‘tactile’ instruments. The non-contact nature of laser applications, coupled with the requirement for precise technique, often leads to underutilization of this advanced technology.

Clausen added, “The goal of the Dental Laser Coaching Portal is to address the root causes of the common challenges faced by laser owners, irrespective of their experience level, and provide tailored optimization programs for soft tissue lasers, all-tissue lasers, and productivity enhancement using laser technology.”

To register for the free, limited seating webinar "Do More with Your All-Tissue Laser" on Tuesday April 30th, at 5PM PST/ 8PM EST, Click here.

Samuel E. Scroggins, DMD, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with Roanoke’s Southwest Virginia Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and his wife, Verina, aim to climb to the highest point in all 50 states, an activity known as highpointing. They’ve done 36 to-date, and will check another state off their list today, as they climb Ohio’s Campbell Hill, in conjunction with the total solar eclipse.

“Campbell Hill is located in Bellefontaine, about 50 miles outside of Columbus,” says Dr. Scroggins. “It has an elevation of 1,549.09 feet (472.16 meters), so it’s more of a walk than a climb, but Bellefontaine is in the path of the totality of the solar eclipse, so we thought it would be a fun way to check another highpoint off our list, while experiencing the eclipse together. It’s truly an once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Campbell Hill was previously home to the Bellefontaine Air Force Station. Currently, it is occupied by the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center. After Campbell Hill, the Scroggins’ next scheduled highpointing adventure will be Mt. Hood in Oregon, which will be an ice climb. Mt. Hood is approximately 11,240 feet (3,426 meters). It’s also a potentially active volcano – according to the U.S. Geological Survey – with glaciers, snowfields and sulfur pits.

“The hikes are all very different. Some are a short walk, on a path, to a sign that says you’re standing in the tallest place in the state, and others are more complex,” notes Dr. Scroggins. “That’s one of the things I like about it.”

Dr. Scroggins and Verina started highpointing approximately seven years ago, after a conversation between friends.

“We had some friends visiting from Birmingham, Alabama, where we used to live, and we were all sitting around in the kitchen, talking about what we wanted to do next in life,” recalls Dr. Scroggins. “One of our friends said that she was working toward hiking the Appalachian Trail, which was something she was doing a little bit at a time.”

“I remember thinking that I like hiking, but that I wouldn’t want to sleep on the ground the way she was doing,” continues Dr. Scroggins. “So my wife and I talked about it and we thought we might like to try going to the highest point in all 50 states, and we did some research on it, and discovered that it’s a thing called highpointing, and there’s even a club for it and everything.”

The Scroggins always highpoint together, and kiss on the top of every peak. Often some – or all of – their eight children (currently ages 2-21), join them. Dr. Scroggins says highpointing has helped strengthen his relationships with his wife and children, has helped his children to be more resilient and has helped him to sustain a better work-life balance.

“Highpointing has been an incredible experience for us as a couple, as a family, and as individuals. You get to see and experience places and each other in a way that you wouldn’t get to, otherwise,” says Dr. Scroggins.

In addition, Dr. Scroggins says highpointing has taught him many lessons that he applies as an oral surgeon. “Whether you’re hiking or treating patients, preparation is key. Understand each individual situation as much as possible. Explore all the angles and have the best solution in place for all possibilities, including the right equipment. Some hikes require more specialized equipment – like ice picks, carabiners and rope – others don’t. It’s the same with OMS.”

The most important thing, he adds, is the application. “Once you’re prepared, you need to move forward and learn, so that the process is always smoother, always improving, no matter how good it was before. Ideally, you want to do that with everything in life.”

Dr. Scroggins has been in private practice in Virginia since 2014. He is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon – the highest credential that can be obtained in the specialty, according to the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

A graduate of Brigham Young University and the University of Alabama Dental School, Dr. Scroggins practiced general dentistry in the Birmingham area for three years before completing his internship at the Medical College of Georgia. After which, he completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

Southwest Virginia Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is known throughout the region as an expert provider of oral surgery and facial trauma services, including emergency care. The practice offers a wide variety of OMS procedures and treatments, from dental implants to tooth extractions, facial trauma treatment, bone grafting, wisdom teeth removal and more.

Resin modified glass ionomer luting cement

SDI Limited is proud to announce the launch of Riva Cem Automix, a new resin modified glass ionomer cement.

Riva Cem Automix is a self-curing, radiopaque, fluoride releasing paste/paste resin modified glass-ionomer luting cement. Riva Cem Automix is indicated for the permanent cementation of metal and ceramic restorations such as zirconia, porcelain and orthodontic bands.

Riva Cem Automix features SDIs revolutionary ionglass™ technology. This unique blend of different sized reactive glass particles harnesses ion-release to cross-link polycarboxylic acid chains. This focused ion release gives Riva Cem Automix a clinically higher bond strength, improved strength and more stable esthetic properties.

A 2022 study showed that Riva Cem Automix has a superior enamel/dentine bond strength combination compared to leading cements*. Riva Cem Automix also has a superior flexural strength^#.

The same 2022 study also confirmed that Riva Cem Automix has the best-in-class colour stability, ensuring restorations do not deviate from their original shade.

Get more. Waste less. Riva Cem Automix offers more tips than any other leading cement – and has 25-50% less tip wastage than other cements*.

Riva Cem Automix is an Australian innovation.

For more information, please contact SDI at www.sdi.com.au

* [In vitro properties of different resin-modified glass-ionomer cements], 2022, Prof Loguercio, Brazil, Study included Riva Cem Automix, Fuji Cem 2, Relyx Luting Plus, Nexus RMGI.

# Based on manufacture brochures for preceding products.

Secure a front-row seat for the debut of Medit i900 and discover the latest cutting-edge dental technology

Medit (www.medit.com), a leading provider of dental 3D scanners and digital dentistry solutions, proudly announces the next evolution of intraoral scanning technology with the launch of Medit i900.

"Our customer focus fuels our advancements," said Michael Lee, CTO. "The i900 is a testament to our pursuit of innovation, empowering dentists to redefine the standards of patient care and practice efficiency."

The Medit i900 features an innovative new control interface, faster, smoother scanning, improved ergonomics, and enhanced material capture technology. It enhances user-friendliness while offering more precision and control. The Medit i900 will be revealed in a worldwide virtual event on April 29, 2024.

"Medit has maintained a unique clinician-driven approach to product development," said Han Ryu, Chief Growth & Strategy Officer at Medit. "The i900 embodies everything Medit stands for: intuitive design, cutting-edge software, and industry-leading imaging technology. But most importantly, it represents a leap forward in how digital dentistry can transform patient care."

Medit disrupted the market in 2018 with its first intraoral scanner, the i500, offering dentists a high-precision, user-friendly option at a significantly lower cost than competitors. Building on this success, Medit introduced the best-selling i700 in 2021, followed by the i700 Wireless and i600 in 2022, providing a comprehensive range of scanners for all types of dental practices.

The Medit i900 will also include the company's Medit Link platform, which offers free dental apps that boost productivity and streamline workflows. Medit Link seamlessly integrates with other platforms, services, and hardware.

Unveiling on April 29th, the i900 represents the next evolution of intraoral scanners, shaping the future of digital dentistry. Learn more here: https://www.medit.com/medit-i900-teaser/.

Oral antiseptics and their role are highlighted as allies in the prevention of periodontal diseases

· Limited knowledge among oral health teams of the recommendations and evidence currently available on oral antiseptics (that are clinically proven to be effective) reduces their implementation; therefore, more practical and simple advice is proposed.

· This meeting is part of the "Principles for Oral Health" initiative stemming from a global agreement between the SEPA Foundation and Listerine®, aiming to provide oral health professionals with access to the latest fundamentals and knowledge in preventing periodontal diseases.

Prioritizing the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases and promoting periodontal health is essential for improving overall health outcomes, preserving natural teeth, reducing healthcare costs, enhancing quality of life, and promoting public health. This was highlighted at an International Summit of Experts held at the Casa de las Encías in Madrid, Spain, the headquarters of the SEPA Foundation. The summit combined current knowledge and thoroughly analyzed the scientific literature and prevailing international guidelines to clarify the role of certain mouthwashes in oral hygiene, gingivitis treatment, and periodontitis prevention.

"Periodontal diseases are prevalent worldwide, affecting hundreds of millions of people," says the meeting coordinator, Dr. Paula Matesanz, vice president of SEPA. She acknowledges that "focusing on prevention and promoting periodontal treatment among the general public allows us to reduce the burden of this disease, improve equality in oral health, and promote overall public health. And to achieve this ambitious objective, there are effective and safe resources that are still currently underutilized."

Oral antiseptics, generally antimicrobial mouthwashes or rinses, can play a key role in preventing periodontal diseases and their recurrence, given their ability to reduce dental biofilm formation. Depending on their active ingredients, as revealed by an analysis of the scientific literature, they can help reduce bacterial load, complement daily oral hygiene practices, reduce plaque and inflammation rates, or even be incorporated as additional resources in periodontal maintenance programs, helping preserve periodontal health and supporting the long-term success of periodontal treatment.

Hence the need to make clinical practice guidelines, developed by the European Federation of Periodontology and adapted by SEPA for use in Spain, accessible to oral health professionals, physicians, pharmacists, patients, and the general population. "So that scientific knowledge is more accessible and capable of improving health," says Dr. Matesanz.

This demonstrates the significance of this meeting of experts, both in terms of the qualifications and prestige of its participants and of the need for dental professionals to have practical, simple, and easy-to-follow recommendations on the use of oral antiseptics, which, as the SEPA vice president highlights, "do not replace tooth brushing but can be valuable additions to support periodontal health."

Evidence and Expert Opinions

Currently available scientific and clinical evidence, systematic reviews of studies, and reference guides for dental professionals support the effectiveness and value of antiseptics as complements to daily oral hygiene. Their use can be considered within the prevention and treatment procedures for periodontal diseases. The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the treatment of periodontitis in stages I–III and the conclusions of the XI Periodontology Workshop of the European Federation of Periodontology provide recommendations and indications for the use of these resources. However, these recommendations may sometimes be complex for the oral health team, limiting their use.

Scientific information supporting the impact of certain mouthwashes and toothpastes with antiseptic formulations has been available for decades and is part of dental education. However, as Dr. David Herrera, trustee of the SEPA Foundation and co-director of the Etiology and Therapeutics of Periodontal Diseases Research Group (ETEP) at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), points out, "scientific information is often mixed with less reliable sources, inducing confusion among oral health professionals."

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Periodontitis in Stages I–III, developed by the European Federation of Periodontology, translated into numerous languages and adapted for use in many countried around the world, is one of the main sources of information and guidance on the prevention and management of periodontitis. In this case, as detailed by Dr. Iain Chapple, professor of periodontology and head of research at the Institute of Clinical Sciences of the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, "the evidence from systematic reviews on the adjunctive use of oral antiseptics was strong, but due to cost implications, environmental factors, and the presence of alcohol in many mouthwashes, the consensus was to reduce the recommendation from strongly favorable to an 'open' recommendation," an aspect that this meeting of experts has sought to clarify and overcome through a soon-to-be-released report that is expected to be widely disseminated and implemented globally

Primary and Secondary Prevention

Some antimicrobial mouthwashes have been shown to be effective in controlling dental biofilm and gingival inflammation in many studies, including numerous randomized clinical trials. However, it is essential to understand their impact on the primary prevention of periodontal diseases (preventing their appearance) and on secondary prevention (reducing the risk of recurrence after treatment of periodontitis).

A crucial aspect discussed by attendees at this summit is the need to focus attention on the prevention of periodontitis and, therefore, adequately treat gingivitis (a previous stage of the disease characterized by inflammation and bleeding of the gums without affecting the alveolar bone and periodontium tissues). As Dr. Iain Chapple summarizes, "It is time for a paradigm shift: we must control gingivitis and not wait until periodontitis develops."

Multiple economic and health factors invite us to implement this change. It has been determined that eliminating gingivitis, thus preventing the progression to periodontitis, would save considerable costs over a 10-year period compared to "business as usual" (for example, about €36 billion in Italy, about €7.8 billion in the Netherlands), and the return on investment is enormous (from €15.2 billion in Italy to €57.5 billion in Germany). Furthermore, recent research reveals that periodontitis has systemic effects on health.

The primary procedure for managing gingivitis and periodontitis is mechanical plaque removal. However, it may not be possible to remove 100% of the biofilm, and for some people at high risk for periodontal disease, their plaque accumulation threshold is extremely low. "Sometimes it is not realistic for high-risk individuals to remove enough plaque daily to remain periodontally healthy," says Dr. Chapple.

Dr. Filippo Graziani, professor of periodontology at the University of Pisa (Italy) and honorary professor at University College London (United Kingdom), emphasizes, "There is no doubt that mechanical plaque control, through tooth brushing, is the cornerstone of oral health. However, it requires proper technique and consistent daily motivation." He further explains, "Lack of technique is a significant factor, which is why we recommend the complementary use of mouthwash." According to Prof. Graziani, "mouthwash is easier to use than brushing and can reach even the most difficult-to-access areas." Thus, he concludes, "For those who lack manual dexterity or have lost it, mouthwashes can supplement oral hygiene routines."

Over the past five years, the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has endorsed systematic reviews (Serrano et al., 2015; Figuero et al., 2020) showing that while mechanical plaque control by patients remains fundamental to successful periodontal treatment, antiseptic agents, including certain mouthwashes, may be more effective than toothpaste in plaque removal and reducing gingival inflammation. Recently, Prof. Graziani's research group published the results of a large randomized clinical trial, revealing that the primary factor in resolving gingivitis is a high level of plaque control and the use of appropriate devices. Hence, according to him, "mouthwashes are not only effective for their antiplaque properties but also for their ability to modulate inflammation."

The experts gathered in this forum have also shared the possibilities of antiseptics in patients undergoing supportive periodontal care, meaning those who have received periodontal treatment and in whom secondary prevention aims to prevent recurrence of periodontitis. "One of the main components of this prevention is the control of supragingival biofilm, based fundamentally on mechanical control" (interdental tooth brushing, etc.), points out Dr. David Herrera, who indicates that "for those patients with more than 10% bleeding, additional measures can be considered, including the use of antiseptics.”

Growing Impact of Periodontal Diseases

The current socioeconomic impact of periodontitis is enormous, and its prevalence and incidence are strongly related to health inequalities. "The most disadvantaged are the most exposed: a low level of education is associated with an 86% higher risk of periodontitis," reports Dr. Chapple. This was highlighted in the 2021 Economist Impact White Paper "Time to take gum disease seriously," which highlighted how periodontal care was simply unaffordable for many people and identified important problems with access to basic oral health resources. There are 4 million oral health professionals worldwide, of which about 2.5 million are dentists. Around 80% of these dentists work in upper- or upper-middle-income countries, while only 1.4% practice in low-income countries.

A Fruitful Alliance

Hence the importance of this meeting, the result of the collaboration between Kenvue and Sepa, which is building a global strategic alliance "that aims to create a synergy that, ultimately, will benefit patients," says Soha Dattani, Director and Head of Scientific Engagement, Listerine® Oral Care, EMEA. The purpose is to improve the dissemination of relevant scientific information to dental health professionals on the prevention of periodontal diseases.

"Bringing together this illustrious group of global experts to analyze the scientific literature, guidelines, and share their extensive clinical and research experiences is of vital importance to address the existing challenges in periodontal care," highlights Dattani, who is "very satisfied that LISTERINE® and SEPA have established this important and ambitious initiative called ‘Principles for Oral Health’". In her opinion, "this collaboration represents an important step to educate and train oral health professionals so that they receive optimal support to help their patients on their journey towards periodontal health."

In developing this initiative, we work with the objective of putting science at the service of dentistry, and more specifically, at the service of prevention. "The idea is to create clear educational content and materials that help dental professionals understand the true added value of using antiseptics in the prevention and management of periodontal diseases at different stages of periodontal health and disease, which means understanding how these products can contribute to the general public with good periodontal health, gingivitis, or periodontitis (whether treated or not),” concludes Dr. Paula Matesanz.

Bibliography

1. Sanz M, et al. Treatment of stage I-III periodontitis-The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline. J Clin Periodontol 2020 Jul;47 (Suppl 22):4-60 (version adapted by SEPA available in

5. Figuero E, et al. Efficacy of adjunctive anti-plaque chemical agents in managing gingivitis: A systematic review and network meta-analyses. J Clin Periodontol 2019 Jul;46(7):723-739