News
“We Cannot Treat Our Way Out” - An overview of the Wrigley Educational Symposium
19 June 2013
Dental professionals from Manchester joined the Wrigley Oral Health Programme (WOHP) for an educational symposium to understand the significant oral health challenges faced by some communities in the city, and to discuss simple, effective preventative solutions to help address these challenges. Although statistics indicate particular oral health challenges in parts of Manchester, these are not isolated cases and the broader UK dental community may find the discussion relevant to their patients and practice.
Oral health today – and looking for a better tomorrow
Dr. Colette Bridgman, Consultant, Public Health England, opened the evening by highlighting that oral disease is on the rise and the impact this is having on children in particular. Citing findings from her report on the state of oral health in Greater Manchester, Dr. Bridgman stressed that half of all five year olds in Greater Manchester are affected by dental decay by the time they reach school age, furthermore, among children under 10, tooth extractions under general anesthetic rose more than 30 percent from 2005 to 2011. She commented, “If there was any other disease affecting half our children, it would be on national TV. So why isn’t it?”
General public apathy about oral disease appears to be widespread; in many places, dental decay is the social norm and more preventative measures need to be taken. To counter this disturbing trend, Dr. Bridgman sounded a call to take action: “It is clear that we cannot ‘treat’ our way out of this problem. A big effort is needed to re-educate the public and encourage personal responsibility for better oral hygiene.”
(From left to right) Dr. Michael Dodds, Dr. Chris Pitts, Dr. Colette Bridgman, Dr. Stephen Hancocks and Matthew Kent presented at the “Improving Oral Health Habits in Manchester” educational symposium.
Focusing on prevention
From a broad focus on oral disease in Greater Manchester, Dr. Stephen Hancocks, British Dental Journal Editor-in-Chief, concentrated on a single component of good oral health: saliva. Dr. Hancocks emphasized the importance of saliva for maintaining good oral health, observing that “you don’t miss the water in the well until it is dry.” Providing lubrication and protection, saliva is an important contributor to good oral health today. Looking to the future, Dr. Hancocks highlighted research into saliva as a tool to diagnose bacterial, viral, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases.
Of course, saliva also plays a vital role in oral health, and Dr. Michael Dodds, Senior Principal Scientist, Wrigley Scientific Discovery revealed the science behind sugarfree gum. He highlighted the role of saliva in restoring plaque pH levels after eating and drinking, neutralizing plaque acids and remineralizing early enamel caries. Dr. Dodds also discussed the results of two independent studies that showed frequent chewing of sugarfree gum was significantly associated with decreased caries in children and also may have benefits in increasing saliva flow in older and medically-compromised patients who suffer from dry mouth.
Forging solutions together
Joined by Manchester practitioner and consultant Dr. Chris Potts, the evening’s speakers fielded questions from dentists and dental hygienists regarding oral hygiene and strategies to improve outcomes for their patients. The conversation covered topics such as the role sugarfree gum can play within the overall routine by acting as an “on-the-go” solution after eating and drinking. One attendee commented that sugarfree gum could be the “missing link” in good oral healthcare.
Closing the evening’s discussion, Matthew Kent, Global Manager, WOHP, noted that oral health problems facing Greater Manchester reflect a global issue. “To address these issues, Wrigley will continue to work with dental professionals in Manchester and beyond to communicate the importance of taking simple and effective daily self-care and preventative measures – including regular check-ups, twice-daily brushing, balanced diet, flossing and chewing sugarfee gum when on-the-go.”
2013 Wrigley Salivary Research Award Winners Announced
29 March 2013
The 2013 IADR Wrigley Salivary Research Award Gives New Insight Into the Vital Role Saliva Plays in Oral Health
Wrigley is delighted to congratulate the winners of the 2013 International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Wrigley Salivary Research Award which recognizes outstanding research in this area by students and clinicians.
This year’s winners are:
- Sarah B. Peters: Basic Salivary Research Award for a Dental or Non-Dental Student ($2,000 USD)
- Girija V. Naidu: Clinical Salivary Research Award for Dental Scientists ($1,500 USD)
- Kyle V. Holmberg: Clinical Salivary Research Award for Dental Students ($1,500 USD)
The awards were presented at the IADR 91st General Session & Exhibition which took place in Seattle, USA from 20-23 March 2013.
WOHP’s dedication to salivary research is a part of Wrigley’s overall commitment to oral care. “Wrigley is thrilled to support independent research through our continued partnership with the IADR Salivary Research Group, and this award has once again inspired dental students and clinicians to explore vital aspects of the role of saliva,” said Matthew Kent, Global Manager of the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program. “We are committed to advancing scientific research to expand our knowledge and further investigate the role of chewing gum in oral health. The 2013 winners have conducted fascinating research that I hope encourages others to apply for the 2014 awards”
This is the fourth year that the Wrigley Oral Healthcare Program (WOHP) has partnered with the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Salivary Research Group (SRG) to offer these coveted awards. 38 applicants from around the globe submitted a 300-word abstract within salivary research; the abstracts were then accepted under IADR scientific review and reviewed by the SRG awards committee. The awards helped recipients with travel costs to attend the IADR 91st General Session & Exhibition and present their research findings during a scheduled session.
WOHP Launches CPD for World Oral Health Day
20 March 2013
On World Oral Health Day 2013 (20-March), the WOHP launched the first of a new series of free Continuing Professional Development sessions designed for dental professionals. The web-based CPD series is based on the recently released book, Saliva and Oral Health, Fourth Edition by Michael Edgar, Colin Dawes and Denis O’Mullane (December 2012). The eight chapters of the book are covered through four sessions, each bringing the very latest research around saliva and its many positive functions. The first session will cover the anatomy and physiology of saliva, along with the mechanisms of salivary secretion. Later sessions will cover topics such as xerostomia, salivary clearance and the protective functions of saliva.
For more information about the series and to complete your free CPD session visit http://www.shancocksltd.co.uk/wrigley/.
Wrigley employees celebrate World Oral Health Day
30 September 2012
Wrigley associates around the globe celebrated World Oral Health Day by remembering to “Eat Drink Chew.™” Employees participated in a variety of activities on the day to experience the science behind chewing sugarfree gum and support oral health. Participants ate a chocolate cookie and looked to see the amount of crumbs left in their mouths before and after chewing sugarfree gum.
Wrigley participates in FDI World Dental Federation’s 2012 Congress
23 July 2012
Come visit us at Wrigley’s “Eat Drink Chew™” Lounge! From August 29 to September 1, 2012, FDI Annual World Dental Congress attendees are invited to relax and learn between sessions in our lounge space, located in section 3D2 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre exhibition hall. The lounge offers a chance to understand the science supporting chewing gum in a welcoming environment complete with free snacks, drinks and chewing gum.
