First dental NIHR portfolio study in the South West achieves full recruitment

A research study at Plymouth University Peninsula School of Dentistry, which aims to develop a simple saliva test for gum disease (periodontitis), is the NIHR portfolio study to take place in the region and has achieved a significant milestone with the full recruitment of participants to the study.

The recruitment was achieved by the Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise through its Dental Education Facilities and community outreach programmes, with support from the NIHR Clinical Research Network: South West Peninsula.

Periodontitis is a common inflammatory oral disease that affects the supporting structures of the teeth (gums and bone). It is also linked to other diseases such as diabetes and artherosclerosis (thickening of the artery walls), making it a significant problem in dental patient care.

According to the British Society of Periodontology, around 10 per cent of the UK population appear to suffer from the more severe forms of the disease which result in tooth loss. Across the world, around 70 per cent of people have some form of the disease.

During the disease process the bone and soft tissue that hold teeth in place are destroyed – teeth become loose and eventually fall out.

As well as being unpleasant for the patient, periodontitis is time-consuming and expensive to treat. As a result, it is crucial that a way is found to prevent the disease, assess its risks and ensure early detection.

At present diagnosis relies on a visual assessment and radiography. These methods can only detect what damage the disease has caused – they cannot be used to assess the current status of the disease or predict the risk of future disease.

As a consequence, the Plymouth research team are developing a rapid and reliable saliva test which in time may be made available to large numbers of people as an ‘over the counter’ product, for routine use by the general public.

The study is led by Dr Svetislav Zaric, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Plymouth University Peninsula School of Dentistry. He said:

“We are delighted to have achieved full recruitment to our study and our thanks go to the organisations which have helped us to this important milestone. This will allow us to evaluate our laboratory results in a clinical context and continue working on the development of salivary biomarkers for periodontal diseases.”

“At present the diagnostic tools available for periodontitis are very limited and cannot predict future damage caused by the disease. Not only will our saliva test achieve this but, because it is fast, reliable, safe and relatively cheap, it could be used without prescription by members of the public ‘over the counter’.”