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Background: Although the detrimental effects of conventional combustible cigarettes on oral health and dental esthetics are well known, there is limited information about the long-term impact of combustion-free nicotine alternatives (C-F NA) such as e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products., Objective: This multicenter, prospective, 3-parallel-arm randomized controlled trial will investigate whether switching from combustible cigarettes to C-F NA will lead to measurable improvements in oral health parameters and dental esthetics over 18 months in adult smokers with limited gum disease., Methods: Regular smokers not intending to quit and without clinical signs of periodontitis will be randomly assigned (1:4 ratio) to either standard of care with brief cessation advice (control group; arm A) or C-F NA use (intervention group; arm B). The study will also include a reference group of never smokers (reference group; arm C). The primary end point is the change in the Modified Gingival Index (MGI) score from baseline between the control arm (arm A) and the intervention arm (arm B) at the 18-month follow-up. In addition, the study will analyze the within- and between-group (arms A, B, and C) changes in MGI assessment, plaque imaging, dental shade quantitation, tooth stain scores, and oral health-related quality of life questionnaires measured at each study time point. All participants will attend a total of 7 clinic visits: screening, enrollment, and randomization (visit 0); baseline visit-day 14 (visit 1); day 90 (visit 2); day 180 (visit 3); day 360 (visit 4); and day 540 (visit 5). This multicenter study will be conducted in 4 dental clinics in 4 countries. The statistical analysis will involve descriptive statistics for continuous and categorical data. Primary end points will undergo tests for normality and, based on distribution, either a 2-sided t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Linear mixed model with random factors center and study arms by center will also be applied. Secondary end points, including MGI assessment and quality of life, will be subjected to similar tests and comparisons. Only if one value of the parameter MGI is missing after day 1, the last available observation will be carried forward. The analysis will be performed on the substituted data. Secondary parameters will not have missing value replacement., Results: Participant recruitment began in October 2021, and enrollment was completed in June 2023. Results will be reported in 2025., Conclusions: This will be the first study to provide key insights into oral health benefits or risks associated with using C-F NA in smokers who are seeking alternatives to cigarette smoking., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04649645; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04649645., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/53222., (©Gianluca Conte, Sebastiano Antonio Pacino, Salvatore Urso, Doris Greiling, Pasquale Caponnetto, Eugenio Pedullà, Luigi Generali, Ugo Consolo, Vittorio Checchi, Stefan Gospodaru, Gheorghe Bordeniuc, Valeriu Fala, Jan Kowalski, Maciej Nowak, Renata Górska, Amaliya Amaliya, Iain Chapple, Michael Milward, Robert Maclure, Gianna Maria Nardi, Riccardo Polosa. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 23.02.2024.)

Objectives: To evaluate a 0.454% stannous fluoride/5% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) toothpaste's ability to provide relief from dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) applied using 'focused brushing.', Materials and Methods: In two randomised, examiner-blind, parallel-group studies, a SnF 2 /STP toothpaste was applied by brushing two selected sensitive teeth before 1 min whole-mouth brushing, compared to 1 min whole-mouth brushing only, with a negative control toothpaste. DH was assessed via evaporative (air) (Schiff scale) and tactile (Yeaple probe) stimuli after 7 and 14 d of twice-daily brushing., Results: In total, 141 (Study 1)/142 (Study 2) participants were randomised. In Study 1, the test treatment significantly reduced DH at 7/14 d versus baseline (7/14 d Schiff difference: -0.74 [-0.84,-0.65]/-1.39 [-1.54,-1.23]; tactile: 6.00 [4.88,7.13]/15.30 [13.34,17.26]); whereas the Control treatment did not (7/14 d Schiff difference -0.03 [-0.13,0.06]/-0.10 [-0.25,0.06]; tactile: 0.77 [-0.36,1.90]/0.77 [-1.20,2.74]). Differences between Test and Control were statistically significant (p < 0.0001 all cases). In Study 2, both treatments reduced DH compared to baseline by both measures, but there were no significant between-treatment differences. Toothpastes were generally well-tolerated., Discussion and Conclusions: Previous studies and Study 1 support SnF 2 /5% STP toothpaste efficacy; Study 2 results may have been influenced by placebo/Hawthorne effects. DH study design needs to, where possible, negate such effects., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Aim: To evaluate effects of a 0.454% stannous fluoride test toothpaste on dentine hypersensitivity (DH) applied by fingertip, then 3 days' brushing, versus a sodium monofluorophosphate-based control., Materials and Methods: In three randomized clinical studies, DH was assessed using evaporative (Schiff scale) and tactile (Yeaple probe) stimuli. Participants applied toothpaste to two sensitive teeth by fingertip (60 s each); DH was re-assessed, prior to brushing. Test treatment participants brushed their sensitive teeth, with all participants then brushing all teeth for ≥60 s, twice daily for 3 days. DH was re-assessed. Data were analysed by study and then pooled., Results: In two studies, test treatment significantly reduced DH versus control treatment after fingertip application and 3 days' brushing (both measures). In one study, both treatments significantly reduced DH without between-treatment differences. Mean Schiff differences (95% confidence intervals) for fingertip/3d were as follows: Study 1: -0.09 (-0.280, 0.092)/ -0.18 (-0.442, 0.072); Study 2: -0.72 (-0.839, -0.610)/ -1.02 (-1.150, -0.882); and Study 3: -0.26 (-0.387, -0.123)/ -0.92 (-1.055, -0.793). Pooled analysis indicated test treatment significantly reduced DH versus control (both timepoints, both measures). Toothpastes were generally well-tolerated., Conclusion: Studies indicated that single, fingertip application of a SnF 2 toothpaste reduced DH versus a control. DH relief increased over 3 days., (© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Periodontology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Dentine hypersensitivity can impact functional status and everyday activities such as eating and talking. This study aimed to assess changes in oral health-related quality of life measures in individuals with dentine hypersensitivity following long-term use (24 weeks) of a commercially available toothpaste marketed for dentine hypersensitivity relief., Methods: This study was conducted across two sites and enrolled 75 adults with ≥2 non-adjacent sensitive teeth. Participants were assigned to twice-daily brushing with toothpaste containing 0.454% w/w stannous fluoride (1100 ppm fluoride). Every 4 weeks, participant-reported outcomes were assessed using the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ), a condition specific oral health-related quality of life scale that has five domains and includes questions on social and emotional impact, restrictions, adaptations and effect on life overall. Responses to a clinically applied evaporative (air) stimulus were assessed using the examiner-observed Schiff sensitivity scale and Labelled Magnitude Scales (LMS), which included dentine hypersensitivity-specific descriptors of intensity, duration, tolerability and descriptive qualities of the participant's response., Results: Participant-reported outcomes demonstrated reduction of the impact of dentine hypersensitivity over time on health-related quality of life, as measured by the DHEQ. This reached statistical significance from Week 8 onwards (p < 0.0001 versus baseline) for the Total DHEQ score, with scores continually decreasing at each timepoint. Most domain scores followed a similar pattern. Statistically significant reductions were also detected for the examiner-observed Schiff Sensitivity Scale scores at all timepoints (including at 4 weeks) (p < 0.05), which were mirrored by LMS responses. The toothpaste was generally well-tolerated., Conclusions: These results show that long-term use of a sensitivity toothpaste containing 0.454% w/w stannous fluoride has a beneficial, ongoing, impact on the oral health-related quality of life of people with dentine hypersensitivity., Trial Registration: This study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02752958 ) on April 27, 2016.

Objectives: Calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSPS) is a particulate bioactive material incorporated into oral healthcare products for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity (DH). This study aimed to determine whether a dentifrice containing 5% CSPS and fluoride as sodium fluoride (NaF; "Test dentifrice") was non-inferior to a dentifrice containing 5% CSPS and fluoride as sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP; "Comparator dentifrice") in reducing DH after eight weeks' twice-daily brushing., Methods: This was a randomized, examiner-blind, parallel-group, non-inferiority study in healthy adults with self-reported and clinically diagnosed DH. After an initial lead-in period, subjects were randomized to either the Test (n = 150) or Comparator dentifrice (n = 154) and instructed to brush twice daily for the next eight weeks. DH was assessed at baseline and following four and eight weeks of dentifrice use by response to a tactile stimulus (tactile threshold) and evaporative (air) stimulus (Schiff sensitivity score and 100 mm visual analog scale [VAS]). The non-inferiority margin was defined as 6 mm on the VAS., Results: Both dentifrices were associated with statistically significant reductions in DH from baseline after four and eight weeks' use for all efficacy parameters (all p < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. After eight weeks' use, the between-treatment difference in VAS scores was 2.67 mm (per-protocol analysis) in favor of the Comparator dentifrice; the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the between-treatment difference in VAS scores exceeded the pre-specified non-inferiority margin of 6 mm (upper 95% CI = 7.4). The non-inferiority margin was also exceeded after four weeks. Both dentifrices were generally well tolerated., Conclusions: The pre-defined non-inferiority margin of 6 mm was not met, thus it is not possible to conclude from the present analysis that the Test dentifrice is non-inferior to the Comparator. However, for all efficacy measures, a statistically significant reduction in DH was observed for both dentifrice groups. There were no statistically significant differences between dentifrice groups, suggesting that changing the source of fluoride from SMFP to NaF does not affect the overall efficacy of the dentifrice in alleviating DH., Competing Interests: SY and FS are employees of GSK Consumer Healthcare. MS is an employee of InVentiv Health, and RM is an employee of Intertek CRS Ltd; both companies received funding from GSK Consumer Healthcare. JH is a freelance consultant subcontracted to Intertek for the duration of the study. All the authors contributed to the design, conduct, and reporting of the study. All authors had access to the final study report, made contributions to the development of the manuscript, had final responsibility for the decision to submit, and approved the submitted version.

Background: Gingivitis can develop as a reaction to dental plaque. It can be limited by curtailing plaque build-up through actions including tooth brushing and the use of medicinal mouthwashes, such as those containing chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX), that can reach parts of the mouth that may be missed when brushing. This study aimed to compare dental stain control of twice-daily brushing with a sodium fluoride (NaF) dentifrice containing 67 % sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or a commercially available NaF silica dentifrice without NaHCO3, while using a mouthwash containing 0.2 % CHX., Methods: This was a 6-week, randomised, two-site, examiner-blind, parallel-group study in healthy subjects with at least 'mild' stain levels on the facial surfaces of ≥4 teeth and ≥15 bleeding sites. Assessment was via modified Lobene Stain Index (MLSI), the score being the mean of stain intensity multiplied by area (MLSI [IxA])., Results: One hundred and fifty of 160 randomised subjects completed the study. There were no significant differences in Overall (facial and lingual) MLSI (IxA) scores between dentifrices. The Facial MLSI (IxA) was statistically significant at 6 weeks, favouring the 67 % NaHCO3 dentifrice (p = 0.0404). Post-hoc analysis, conducted due to a significant site interaction, found significant differences for all MLSI scores in favour of the 67 % NaHCO3 dentifrice at Site 1 (both weeks) but not Site 2., Conclusions: No overall significant differences were found between a 67 and 0 % NaHCO3 dentifrice in controlling CHX stain; a significant difference on facial surfaces suggests advantage of the former on more accessible surfaces., Trial Registration: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01962493 ) on 10 October 2013 and was funded by GSK Consumer Healthcare.

Objective: To compare the delivery and retention of triclosan in dental plaque, and to compare the antibacterial efficacy of a newly developed toothpaste to a marketed calcium carbonate toothpaste., Methods: Two clinical delivery/retention studies were carried out to determine the concentration of triclosan in plaque 10 minutes, and two and four hours after brushing with a new triclosan-containing toothpaste with magnesium aluminium silicate or a marketed triclosan-containing toothpaste. Both studies had a double-blind, randomized, complete cross-over design. Supragingival plaque samples (minimum 2 microg) were taken from smooth surfaces of all teeth (1-7) in all four quadrants for the 10-minute plaque measurements and in two randomly allocated quadrants at the two- and four-hour time points. Triclosan concentration was measured by HPLC. Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated in vitro using a biofilm formation approach. Three replicate experiments were carried out to check for repeatability and consistency of the assay. Toothpaste slurries were prepared by stirring one part by weight of each toothpaste with two parts by weight of deionized water. An overnight culture suspension of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175) was prepared and then adjusted to give a bacterial count of approximately 10(7) CFU/ml. Sterile HAP discs were used as substrate and treated with the toothpaste slurry before inoculation with the standardized culture suspension of S. mutans. Following incubation in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth containing 2% sucrose for four hours, standard Total Viable Count (TVC) procedures were carried out and colonies counted (log10 values)., Results: Brushing with the new calcium carbonate/triclosan toothpaste resulted in a higher triclosan concentration in plaque after 10 minutes, and two and four hours compared to a marketed triclosan toothpaste. The increase ranged from 14% to 35% and was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The antibacterial efficacy of the new calcium carbonate/triclosan toothpaste, measured four hours after application, was greater than that of a marketed toothpaste with 0.3% triclosan. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: The new calcium carbonate toothpaste with 0.3% triclosan and magnesium aluminium silicate demonstrated significantly greater efficacy four hours post-brushing both in terms of in vivo delivery and in vitro antibacterial action compared to a marketed calcium carbonate toothpaste with 0.3% triclosan.

Primary health care assistance has become prominent in the rural development programs of many nongovernment organizations throughout sub-Saharan Africa. By emphasizing education and the promotion of new participatory health systems, most such programs aim to enhance the conditions of women as principal community care givers. Yet village-level health assistance in Africa is not without shortcomings. This is exemplified in a case study of two nongovernment programs in Burkina Faso's Namentenga Province. Although both programs have contributed to maternal health and infant survival, they have also induced new ties of donor dependency. This appears to present a conundrum for the sponsoring agencies which espouse self-reliance as a development assistance goal. In fact, however, where the intervention of nongovernment organizations helps to improve rural health, new dimensions of dependency may prove to be a positive first stage in the mobilization of women and the development of locally managed health systems. For this to be so, much is contingent on the capacity of these organizations to integrate local participation in their own planning and management processes, and to augment the professional status of indigenous health workers.

In polymorphoneutrophils (PMNs) phagocytosis is accompanied by an increase in peroxidase activity. Accumulation of iodide, thioureylene antithyroid drugs and 17 beta-oestradiol also occurs during the process. There is no evidence of an active iodide transport system in the PMNs as pertechnetate is not concentrated and neither ouabain nor perchlorate abolishes iodide accumulation. The uptakes of 125I, [35S]PTU and [3H]-17 beta-oestradiol were compared in phagocytosing PMNs and the effects of various compounds examined. In addition, chemiluminescence generation from luminol by PMNs and by horseradish peroxidase was studied. This indicated that uptake of all three compounds could be associated with activation of the peroxidase system, and inhibition of this enzyme system caused a reduction in their accumulation.