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A smart toothpaste for the twenty-first century

Year:
2021
Duration:
28 months
Approved budget:
$150,000.00
Researchers:
Professor George Dias
,
Dr Niranjan Ramesh
,
Assistant Professor Vincent Bennani
Health issue:
Dental/oral
Proposal type:
Explorer Grant
Lay summary
Management of dental disorders such as decay, gum disease, and implant failures are a major economic burden to New Zealand. The Māori community present the poorest oral health outcomes among all communities in the country. The surging costs of dental restorations are proving increasingly unaffordable with almost three-quarters of New Zealanders avoiding going to the dentist due to cost. While dental procedures have evolved with time, dental products such as toothpaste still resolve only a narrow spectrum of issues such as plaque, caries, and sensitivity. A novel bioactive smart toothpaste will be prepared using bioceramics and a natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent will provide an inexpensive clinical-grade formulation to mitigate oral infections and ensure implant longevity while also offering the traditional benefits of plaque removal and whiter teeth. The affordable and easily accessible smart toothpaste will significantly improve the oral health of all communities in New Zealand and across the world.