Ann Arbor, MI - September 11, 2008 - The University of Michigan School of Dentistry will be collaborating with Delta Dental of Michigan and other health care providers in a novel research project. The initiative will try to determine if sugarless lollipops can help reduce bacteria that trigger tooth decay.

The affiliated companies of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana are funding two clinical studies to determine if the sugarless treat containing licorice extract can reduce bacteria that cause tooth decay. Forty nursing home residents began participating in the study last month. About 100 children in the Head Start program in Lansing, Michigan, will try the suckers.

The School of Dentistry's Dr. Domenica Sweier, a clinical assistant professor and study consultant, said, "Although many people keep most of their teeth as they age, dental decay remains a common cause of tooth pain, infection, and tooth loss in the elderly." Describing the research as "cutting edge," Sweier added, "an affordable means to prevent these oral health problems may be to reduce the bacteria that cause decay through a simple routine that is easily included into a patient's schedule."

Several years ago, a U-M School of Dentistry pediatric dentist conducted research about a way to help dentists safely and effectively deliver a sedative to young children who needed extensive dental care, but who were unable to cope with the stress that's associated with a dental procedure. More information is available here.

Delta Dental's Research and Data Institute is providing the grants as part of its mission to remain in the forefront of finding solutions to oral health problems. The research is a collaborative effort that also involves the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Beaumont Hospitals, a regional health care provider with three hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities in southeast Michigan.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit us on the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

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