Introduction

A New Zealand Army deployment arrival haka

New Zealand Defence Dental Services have introduced a sugar free chewing gum to all New Zealand ration packs to enhance soldiers' oral health. The gum contains casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), believed to slow progression of dental caries, to remineralise enamel subsurface lesions and stimulate the production of saliva.

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Gray, Assistant Director Defence Dental Services, welcomed the introduction of the gum to the ration packs as an oral health preventative measure and also hopes its inclusion will raise awareness of the importance of oral hygiene when soldiers are in the field environment.

New Zealand troops are currently serving on 17 peacekeeping operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world, from Antarctica to Sudan, Timor-Leste to South Korea.