Consumers, Dental Professionals challenged to rethink role of mouthrinse
MORRIS PLAINS, New Jersey--The makers of Listerine Antiseptic, the only ADA-accepted nationally branded over-the-counter mouthrinse, are taking actions to challenge consumers and dental professionals to rethink the role of mouthrinse as part of a healthy lifestyle.
The company launched a series of educational and marketing initiatives in 2006 to raise awareness among consumers and dental professionals of how twice-daily rinsing with Listerine can help maintain a healthy mouth, and how emerging science suggests that keeping your mouth healthy may even contribute to the health of your body.
The latest initiative in this effort, a Listerine-sponsored special supplement to the November 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association features a number of articles that explain how an antimicrobial mouthrinse plays an important role in maintaining a healthy mouth by helping to prevent and reduce gum diseases, including gingivitis.
Many experts believe that gingivitis, if allowed to progress to advanced gum disease, may contribute to broader health problems over time.
Guest edited by Ira B. Lamster, dean, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, "Antimicrobial Mouthrinses as Part of Daily Oral Care" provides a summary of the wealth of data supporting the use of an antiseptic mouthrinse as part of the daily oral care routine.
Authors including John G. Thomas, M.S., Ph.D., of West Virginia University and Mike Barnett, D.D.S., of the University of Buffalo explore topics such as "Managing the Complexity of a Dynamic Biofilm" and "The Rationale for the Daily Use of an Antimicrobial Mouthrinse," respectively. Dentists may earn up to two continuing education credit hours through the supplement.
"While each JADA issue includes data on a variety of current issues of interest to the dental community, the Journal's supplements offer an in-depth look at a particular topic, giving readers the chance to explore and understand that subject in great detail," said Lamster.
"This particular supplement about antimicrobial mouthrinses provides a comprehensive review of the data, which can help dental professionals prepare for patient questions and make appropriate recommendations related to the role an antimicrobial mouthrinse should play in daily oral care."
In July of this year, Pfizer sponsored a Global Summit designed to update and align the international research community on the state of the science behind the mouth-body connection. Participants included representatives from major universities, research institutions and professional and government organizations from around the world, such as Mariano Sanz, professor of periodontology at University Complutense (Spain); Grace Ong, vice dean, academic affairs, University of Singapore School of Dentistry; Rui Opperman, dean, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul School of Dentistry (Brazil); Dan Meyer, associate executive director of the American Dental Association's Division of Science; and Dr. Peter Cooney, chief dental officer, Health Canada.
Symposium presenter Dr. Denis Kinane (University of Louisville) opened the meeting with a review of the science behind the bacterial link theory that suggests the association between oral and systemic diseases. The second speaker, Dr. Stephen Offenbacher (University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill) introduced cutting-edge emerging evidence supporting the inflammatory theory, focusing on cardiovascular and pregnancy outcomes exposing the role of inflammatory components and the strength of the association.
Finally, Dr. Maurizio Trevisan (University at Buffalo) outlined the public health implications, which led to a rich discussion on the role of daily oral care on the overall health status.
Outcomes of this meeting will include publication of the proceedings and a consensus statement developed by a Global Task Force led by symposium moderator Dominick P. DePaola of Boston's Forsyth Institute.
Reflecting the view of the global research community based on data presented at the symposium and subsequent discussion, the task force will outline what is currently known about the association between oral and systemic health and what requires further research. The group also will examine how the current state of the science has been communicated by the media and public health organizations.
"In order for the science to evolve, the global scientific community, including industry leaders, must further the dialogue and align on what we know and what we still need to learn, which is why events like this symposium are so critical," said DePaola.
"But beyond reaching these conclusions, we need to guide the direction of research in a way that will help us achieve the next level of understanding, and that's what the consensus statement aims to do."
The makers of Listerine continue national outreach on the campaign, "If you think Listerine is just for your mouth, think bigger" to help educate consumers on the mouth-body connection. The outreach includes a Web site (www.listerine.com), a print advertisement endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA) and, recently, outdoor advertising.
The company also sponsored "Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body," an ADA consumer education brochure, as well as a page on the ADA Web site dedicated to explaining what scientists know about this association, and what consumers should do about it.
"We're very proud of the work we've done this year to help further the conversation within the scientific and professional communities, but we are equally committed to communicating accurately to the public about this potential link," said Lori Kumar, Ph.D., vice president, oral care research and development, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.
"Our goal is to propel oral care into a new era in which the importance of a healthy mouth is heightened, and the products available to professionals and consumers are more effective and accessible than ever before."
In addition to these educational efforts, Pfizer launched two new products in 2006. Vanilla Mint Listerine Antiseptic, introduced in May, provides an equally effective option for those patients who want to prevent and reduce plaque and gingivitis yet prefer a "less intense" taste experience.
Listerine Agent Cool Blue Plaque-Detecting Rinse, the first product of its kind, hit store shelves in June, offering kids and parents a new way to make brushing fun and help kids brush better.
These new offerings, combined with Pfizer Consumer Healthcare's efforts to educate consumers and contribute to the professional and research communities, underscore the company's dedication to oral care's advancement.
