Oral Health Misinformation: Dental Association Warns Nigerians

There is an ongoing oral health misinformation glee currently going on online, and you had better take caution which source you believe.

This much has made the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) to send out caution to the public against relying on oral health information circulated by unauthorised individuals.

The President of the NDA, Dr Emedom Elias, issued the call in a statement co-signed by the Association’s Secretary-General, Dr Franklin Abhulimen, and the Chairman of its Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, Dr Victor Nwabudike, on Tuesday in Abuja.

“Just recently, someone who identified himself as ‘DOCTOR’, with no proof of his certification or registration with the Council, misled the public on the design of toothpaste tubes,” the statement read.

It said there had been recurring cases of unverified claims, outright falsehoods and misleading oral health misinformation circulated online by self-acclaimed dental practitioners.

Declaring these as false, misleading and not supported by any clinical, scientific or regulatory evidence, the NDA, stated instead that the small square or rectangular marks at the sealed end of toothpaste tubes, commonly referenced in viral posts, are known in manufacturing as “Eye Marks” or “Colour Registration”.

“These are used by automated packaging machines to detect where the tubes should be cut and sealed during production.

“The marks also ensure proper alignment during packaging and guide sensors in high-speed production lines”, the association said

It added that the coloured marks have nothing to do with the ingredients or constituents of the toothpaste and do not determine product safety.

“They are not a yardstick to establish whether a product is chemical or natural,” it added.

The NDA also addressed recurring misconceptions regarding fluoride in toothpaste, noting that some individuals had previously claimed, without evidence, that fluoride could cause cancer.

Stating that its products committee regularly conducts biochemical analyses and clinical trials on dental products available in Nigeria, it also clarified the constituents of toothpaste.

Fluoride and other constituents of toothpaste, the association stated, are meticulously regulated to ensure compliance with recommended concentrations and must meet safety standards set by relevant health authorities before approval for public use.

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On what pathway to follow in the midst of the oral health misinformation, the association advocated:

“Look out for NDA endorsements or logo and, above all, seek professional advice from registered oral health practitioners who are bona fide members of the Nigerian Dental Association”.

Affirming its commitment to promoting responsible use of social media, particularly in relation to oral health information, the NDA stated:

“This is to ensure the protection of the public, registered practitioners and the integrity of the dental profession, while promoting credible, verifiable and evidence-based communication in the digital space,” it stated.