Help eradicate HPV-related cancer

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We are all familiar with studies that are evidence-based, but how relevant are they to everyday life? Frequently we find ourselves saying, 'that's all very well in a research laboratory but how does it work in the real world?'

Oral-B wants dental professionals to see the benefits of their products at first hand. Dental professionals are invited to participate in a 'Patient Evaluation Programme' (PEP) for their new Gum and Enamel Repair Toothpaste. This new toothpaste helps patients address the increasing prevalence of gum or enamel issues. Featuring unique ActivRepair technology (with two sources of stannous: stannous fluoride and stannous chloride), it is the best clinically proven toothpaste from Oral-B to help restore gum health and prevent enamel erosion.

The PEP is simple to run. Simply select three patients you think would benefit from using the product. Assess and record their oral health status at the start of the programme and then again three months later. Each kit contains 10 × 75 ml tubes of toothpaste (three per patient, plus one for your own use) and a simple tick-box assessment sheet.

Oral-B will donate £5 to HPV Action for every completed form returned by the end of March 2018. HPV is a main causative factor for oral cancer. HPV Action is campaigning to extend the national immunisation programme to include boys. Each year over 2,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with a HPV-related cancer, of whom almost half will die from the condition within five years.

Oral-B is also using the PEP programme as an opportunity to support the BSDHT and BADT's 'Next Steps to Exemptions' initiative and will donate £5 to the campaign for each form received from a hygienist/therapist. The aim of the campaign is for dental hygienists and dental therapists to be able to administer or supply specified prescription-only medicines, such as local anaesthetic, topical anaesthetic and fluoride varnishes. For more information on the campaign log onto www.bsdht.org.uk/exemptions.

If you would like to participate in Oral-B's PEP contact your Oral-B representative.