Following the recent announcement that the US government is withdrawing its recommendation to floss from its dietary guidelines, based on the lack of definitive scientific studies to prove its effectiveness on gum disease and tooth decay, Denplan has shared its response.

“When talking about evidence and studies, it’s important to distinguish between the terms ‘flossing’ and ‘cleaning between teeth’,” says Henry Clover, Chief Dental Officer at Denplan. “Floss, whether it’s tape or string, is only one of the methods to clean between teeth and some studies have shown that traditional floss is not always effective for some people. This is partly due to patients not always being able to use the floss correctly and the fact that a thin piece of floss might only remove a proportion of plaque and food particles between teeth. There is, however, strong evidence* to show that other methods of cleaning between teeth, such as interdental brushes, are highly effective in removing plaque and helping to prevent or treat gum disease.

“Tooth brushing only reaches around 70 percent of tooth surfaces, so if you’re not regularly removing plaque from in between your teeth, there will be bacteria building up and potentially causing problems. This includes an increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath.

“It’s vitally important that patients don’t misinterpret the US government’s recent withdrawal of the recommendation to floss as a message that they only need to brush their teeth, and never clean in between them. We would strongly urge patients to follow an evidence-based approach continue to clean between their teeth, as advised by their dental team, using whatever method work best for them, be it floss, interdental brushes or waterpiks.”

*Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19820738

                 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19138177

About Henry Clover

Henry Clover joined the Professional Services team of Denplan in 1998, having worked as a dentist for 17 years looking after patients’ oral health in his own practice. He now holds the position of Director of Dental Policy at Simplyhealth and is also Chief Dental Officer at Denplan. Henry playing a vital role in Simplyhealth’s Leadership Team and is at the forefront of private dentistry liaising with more than 6,500 member dentists.

About Denplan

Denplan is the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist, with more than 6,500 member dentists nationwide caring for approximately 1.7 million registered patients. Established in 1986 by two dentists who pioneered the concept of dental payment plans, Denplan has been at the heart of dental care for nearly 30 years and today the company is owned by Simplyhealth. Denplan has a wide range of dental plans for adults and children, enabling patients to budget for their private dental care by spreading the cost through a fixed monthly fee. We support regular attendance and preventive care, reducing the need for clinical intervention and helping patients to maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.

For further information visit www.denplan.co.uk. For oral health tips and advice visit www.myteeth.co.uk. Patient enquiries telephone: 0800 401 402   Dentist enquiries telephone: 0800 328 3223

• Denplan Care: all routine and restorative care + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover
• Denplan Essentials: routine care only + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover
• Plans for Children: routine and other agreed care + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover
• Membership Plan: registered with the dentist + worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover
• Denplan Emergency: worldwide dental injury and dental emergency cover only
• Company Dental Plans: company funded, voluntary and flexible benefit schemes

Denplan also provides a range of professional services for its member dentists and their practice teams, including the Denplan Quality Programme, Denplan Excel Accreditation Programme and Denplan Training, plus regulatory advice, business and marketing consultancy services and networking opportunities.

For more information about Denplan:

Sara Elliott

Denplan Press Office

Tel: 01962 828 194

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lynn McCartin, a dental therapist working on HMS Nelson, came across the innovative products available from Waterpik International, Inc. at EuroPerio8.

“I thought the Water Flossers were well designed and efficient, offering an effective alternative for patients who don’t like using interdental brushes or string floss. I think the option of being able to add diluted mouthwash instead of water to the products will also prove beneficial for some patients’ gingival health.

“Due to the tolerable and easy to use design, I believe the Waterpik® Water Flossers are particularly suitable for perio patients, or those who are already motivated and desire optimal oral health.

“I was pleased to receive a free unit at EuroPerio8 – a few of my patients had already been using Waterpik® products and now I feel much more confident with them.”

Clinically proven to reduce bleeding and reverse the signs of gingivitis, Waterpik® Water Flossers are ideal for all of your patients, whether they require implants, crowns or bridges, or orthodontic treatment.

Find out how the innovations available could help your patients today.

For more information on Waterpik International, Inc. please visit www.waterpik.co.uk. Waterpik^® products are available at Amazon, in 

Boots and at Superdrug stores across the UK and Ireland.

A lot of research into the benefits of using Water Flosser as opposed to string floss has been conducted to date. Independent research studies have shown that the Water Flosser was up to 50% more effective at reversing gingivitis, up to 93% more effective for reducing bleeding and can remove 29% more plaque than string floss.[1]^,[2] It is also significantly more effective for implant and orthodontic patients who are more susceptible to developing gingival inflammation.[3]^,[4]

But, this research would mean nothing without the endorsement of professional hygienists who have a working knowledge of oral irrigation products. Michael Wheeler is a dental hygienist at Bramcote Dental Practice in Castle Cary and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Kent. When asked about the products available from Waterpik International, Inc. he said:

“I am a firm advocate of the Waterpik® Water Flosser – both for those patients who are having difficulties in maintaining oral hygiene with bridges or crowns, and those who already demonstrate good oral hygiene routines. The Water Flosser is a very effective product and is relatively easy to use, so it’s really beneficial for all. 

“A patient I’d been treating for several years recently highlighted this. She’d had a bridge fitted about 30 years previously and although her oral hygiene was exemplary, she expressed that the bridge caused her some difficulties, especially when it came to maintaining such a high level of oral hygiene. I suggested she incorporate one of the Water Flossers from Waterpik® into her daily cleansing routine, in an attempt to offer her a logical solution to these issues.

“The next time I saw her she was delighted with the results of the oral hygiene adjunct, stating: ‘It’s absolutely life-changing and the best thing I’ve ever used!’ Even I was slightly taken aback by the level of her enthusiasm, but it was great to hear!

“A second patient of mine, a reformed heavy smoker, also noticed an improvement in his oral hygiene with the use of a Water Flosser from Waterpik®.

“It just goes to prove with the right patient, even if their oral hygiene is beyond criticism, you can provide further motivation with the right product.”

Discover the many benefits of clinically proven solutions from Waterpik International, Inc. for yourself, and contact the team today.

For more information on Waterpik International, Inc. please visit www.waterpik.co.uk. Waterpik^® products are available at Amazon, in

Boots and at Superdrug stores across the UK and Ireland.

Waterpik International, Inc. will be on hand at this year’s BDIA showcase with its fantastic range of oral care products.

Delegates can discover the innovative Waterpik^® Ultra Professional, with its user-friendly design and convenient one-minute timer with 30-second pacer to help patients floss thoroughly. The pulse-modulation technology also removes maximum plaque while gingival stimulation enhances circulation, for the ultimate clean feeling.

Also on display will be the Waterpik^® Complete Care, which combines sonic brushing with water flossing. The Sensonic^® Professional Plus Toothbrush is up to 29% more effective at removing plaque than another leading sonic brush,[i] with a bristle speed that is 25% faster.[ii] Used with the Waterpik^® Water flosser, which can remove up to 99.9% of dental biofilm in just three seconds from treated areas, ^i,  it delivers spectacular cleaning every day.

Visit the team on stand N45 at the BDIA Showcase and find out about the premium-level accessories available. For professional-standard cleaning, it’s time to introduce your patients to Waterpik ^® solutions.

For more information on Waterpik International, Inc. please visit www.waterpik.co.uk. Waterpik^® products are available at Amazon, in

Boots and at Superdrug stores across the UK and Ireland.