Sunstar America recently announced the launch of a new 4-ounce bottle of Gum Paroex, its alcohol-free chlorhexidine rinse. To get some more information about the product, we interviewed Sunstar America’s manager of professional relations, Jackie Sanders, RDH, MBA.
DentistryIQ: What is beneficial about Paroex compared to other chlorhexidine rinses?
Jackie Sanders: Gum Paroex is the only alcohol-free chlorhexidine rinse approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It allows dental professionals the ability to prescribe an effective gingivitis treatment alternative to patients who prefer not to be or cannot be exposed to alcohol. This means that practices can give all patients access to the same standard of care. Importantly, while conventional chlorhexidine gluconate rinses contain 11.6% alcohol as an inactive ingredient, they are no more effective than alcohol-free Paroex. In short, Paroex delivers the many benefits of being alcohol-free without any compromise in efficacy.
DIQ: What motivated Sunstar to launch the new 4-oz size of Paroex?
JS: We launched this new, smaller size to offer economy and convenience to our valued customers. While our regular 16-oz size is ideal for longer-duration uses, the 4-oz size was designed for dental practices that want to prescribe Paroex for shorter-duration uses. In this way, practices can chose the size that best matches the treatment plan. Since the usual dosage is one-half of a fluid ounce, the 4-oz size provides about eight uses.
DIQ: Why is it important that Paroex is alcohol-free?
JS: Many patients need to avoid alcohol for health, religion, or other reasons. This is why consumers are increasingly opting for alcohol-free versions of products in categories ranging from hair gel and skin cleansers to over-the-counter and prescription medications. In addition, alcohol in oral rinses may cause a burning sensation in some patients. For any or all of these reasons, the presence of alcohol can be a barrier to patient compliance. Some patients may decide to not use the prescribed rinse, and some may even decline to have their prescriptions filled. With alcohol-free Paroex, patients definitely have another option.
DIQ: What can we expect in the future from Sunstar?
JS: You can expect to see us not only continuing but accelerating our efforts to deliver innovative products that enhance the efficiency and efficacy of dental professionals. In particular, you will see us launching more products like our recently introduced Prophyciency, the industry’s only prophy angle that cleans and polishes without paste, and the easy-handling Guidor easy-graft alloplastic bone grafting system.
