Evaluation of the Benefits of Listerine Mouthwash in improving the Oral Health Status of Dentists' Patients in a Practice-based Setting

Objectives: To enable large numbers of dental professionals in the UK, Germany and Belgium to evaluate the benefits of Listerine® Mouthrinse in improving the oral health status of their patients in a practice based setting and to compare the results to those reported in controlled clinical studies. Methods: 420 General Dental Practitioners in the UK, Germany and Belgium were invited to participate in an open uncontrolled non blinded field study. Each dentist received materials and instructions as to how to assess gingival health and plaque using a simplified 4 point scoring methodology and evaluations by sextant and globally. Subjects which met defined inclusion/exclusion criteria were then identified from the dental office normal patient pool as part of the routine appointment attendance. These subjects were invited to participate in this three month study, using Listerine Mouthrinse 2 x per day for three months as an adjunct to their normal oral hygiene procedures. If the subjects were willing to participate in the study, they were entered into the study and provided with sufficient product to use until their three month evaluation. At the three month evaluation they were reevaluated by the dental practitioner using the same simplified plaque and gingival health scoring scales together with a habits and practices questionnaire. Results: Significant improvements were measured after three months product use in all countries, with both gingival health and plaque control improving by approximately 50%. Frequency distributions showed a transition to improved oral health and the programme met the expectations of both the dental practitioner and the research subject. Most practitioners confirmed that the use of Listerine as an adjunct to normal oral hygiene was beneficial in their practice/subject environment. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated significant improvement in gingival health and plaque following the three month use period.