Winners of 2010 IADR/GSK Innovation in Oral Care Awards announced

The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare today announced the 2010 winners of the annual IADR/GSK Innovation in Oral Care Awards. The three prestigious awards recognize research in innovative oral care technologies that may maintain and improve oral health and the quality of life.

In its seventh year of award support, GSK Consumer Healthcare has contributed more than $1.6 million. Each of the three 2010 winners will receive a $75,000 unrestricted research grant, which is funded by GSK Consumer Healthcare and administered by IADR. The 2010 winners are:

Robert Patrick Allaker, B.Sc., Ph.D., University of London, Institute of Dentistry for "Multifunctional Nano-biomaterials for Implant-based Dental Reconstruction Products." Hydroxyapatite (HA) is chemical similar to mineral components of bone and hard tissues. Owing to its excellent biocompatibility, it is used in a wide range of applications as bone and dental implant material. However, it is well recognized that bacterial infection is a significant cause of implant failure. There is thus an urgent need for technologies that can effectively prevent such infection from occurring. Implant coatings with durable antimicrobial properties together with enhanced bone compatibility will lead to a reduction in the total number of revisions and an increase in the expected implant lifespan, considerably reducing the attributable economic burden and patient morbidity.

Daniel Grenier, Ph.D., Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Buccale, Universit- Laval, Qu-bec, Canada, for "Therapeutic Potential of Citrus Auraptene for Periodontal Disease." Given the high prevalence of gum diseases in the population, if this study demonstrates that auraptene possesses beneficial properties for oral health, it will support its common use as a preventive or therapeutic agent. Plant-derived natural compounds endowed with a capacity to exert anti-microbial activity toward oral pathogens and to modulate the host inflammatory response may be potential new therapeutic agents for periodontal infections. Auraptene is found in high amounts in citrus fruits and has been reported to possess a variety of valuable pharmacological properties such as anti-oxydant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial activities. For a preventive approach, auraptene may be added into mouthwash or incorporated into a chewing gum. For therapeutic purpose, auraptene may be incorporated into a gel or fiber for topical application into diseased periodontal sites.

Craig Miller, D.M.D, M.S., University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, USA, "POC Immunoassay Test Strip for the Diagnosis of Periodontal Disease." A portable point-of-care (POC) diagnostic immunoassay test strip in the hands of the general public, as well as diverse health care personnel, could lead to significant increases in screening for oral diseases and referrals to appropriate oral health care experts. This, in turn, should lead to a significant paradigm shift whereupon the public has the opportunity for more preventive engagement in identifying their personalized health risk using self-care, handheld devices for the evaluation of the presence or absence of periodontal diseases and thus enhance their proactive solicitation of the health care system.

"This is the seventh year that GSK has had the opportunity to partner with IADR and sponsor the Innovation in Oral Care Awards," said Dr. Stuart R. Smith, Vice President Global Dental Scientific and Professional Communications for GSK. "GSK is honored to be able to help these talented investigators further their innovative research, and I hope that this research leads to the development of new technology and products that prevent and treat oral and dental diseases."

This year, the IADR/GSK Innovation in Oral Care Awards received 34 applications from teams of researchers from around the globe. Each application was reviewed by a panel of experts under the chairmanship of Professor Lakshman Samaranayake, Dean and Tam Wah-Ching Professor of Dental Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital.

The awards will be presented during the 88th General Session & Exhibition of the IADR, to be held July 14-17, 2010, in Barcelona, Spain.

"IADR applauds GSK for continuing to support oral health research and the Innovation in Oral Care Awards," said IADR President Professor David M. Williams. "There is a great need for effective prevention as well as more effective treatments for those suffering from oral diseases. IADR is grateful that GSK is enabling these teams of researchers to develop novel concepts that have the potential to improve oral health worldwide."