Adherence of preventative oral care products in the Syrian market to evidence-based international recommendations

Abstract

No study has investigated the availability and adherence of preventive oral care products on the Syrian market to evidence-based international recommendations. Data were collected in 2012, and updated in 2016, in terms of availability, characteristics and adherence to evidence-based international recommendations. Few preventive products adhered to the recommendations. Despite the large decrease in the number of oral care products on the Syrian market, due to the Syrian crisis, nonadherence of some of the available products is still present. A multisectorial approach at a policy level is needed to address such important limitations. The Syrian Ministry of Health should reform regulations for fluoride products to become subject to drug monitoring systems; the Syrian Arab Committee for Measurements and Standards needs to update its standards; and the Syrian General Dental Association should distribute a preventive booklet to dental practitioners. ‫األدلة‬ ‫إىل‬ ‫املستندة‬ Conformité des produits de soins dentaires préventifs du marché syrien avec les recommandations internationales fondées sur des données probantesRÉSUMÉ Aucune étude n'a examiné à ce jour la disponibilité et la conformité des produits de soins dentaires préventifs sur le marché syrien avec les recommandations internationales fondées sur des données probantes. Des données ont été collectées en 2012, et mises à jour en 2016, en ce qui concerne la disponibilité, les caractéristiques et la conformité de ces produits avec les recommandations internationales fondées sur des données probantes. Peu de produits préventifs étaient conformes aux recommandations. Malgré une forte diminution du nombre de produits de soins dentaires sur le marché syrien du fait de la crise actuelle dans le pays, la non-conformité de certains produits disponibles reste d'actualité. Une approche multisectorielle au niveau politique est nécessaire pour remédier à ces lacunes importantes. Le ministère syrien de la Santé doit réformer les réglementations existantes sur les produits à base de fluor afin que ceux-ci soient soumis à des systèmes de suivi des médicaments ; le Comité arabe syrien des mesures et des normes doit mettre à jour ses normes ; et l'Association de dentisterie générale syrienne doit distribuer une plaquette de prévention à l'intention des praticiens dentaires. ‫املتوسط‬ ‫لرشق‬ ‫الصحية‬ ‫املجلة‬ ‫العرشون‬ ‫و‬ ‫الثاين‬ ‫املجلد‬ ‫السادس‬ ‫العدد‬ 405

Syria Profile of the Epidemiology and Management of Early Childhood Caries Before and During the Time of Crisis

“…A recent study highlighted that preventive oral care products, including fluoride toothpastes, gels, and varnishes, that adhered to evidence-based recommendations were either few in number or not available on the Syrian market (14). Several fluoride toothpastes had fluoride concentrations that were low (i.e., below the effective concentration for caries prevention), or high with potential long-term toxic effects in children.…”

“…Additionally, 17 toothpastes with high fluoride concentration were available for purchase without prescription and had instructions for use in children younger than the safe evidence-based recommended age. In terms of fluoride gels and varnishes, only three fluoride gels were available (14). No fluoride varnish was found (14), which is known to be more effective than the gels for prevention of dental caries (15).…”

“…In terms of fluoride gels and varnishes, only three fluoride gels were available (14). No fluoride varnish was found (14), which is known to be more effective than the gels for prevention of dental caries (15). During the current Syrian crisis, the number of preventive oral care products available on the market has decreased and some of the currently available products are still non-adherent to evidence-based recommendations (14).…”

“…Water fluoridation mapping and feasibility studies were conducted in Syria during the 1980s and thus they are quite dated now. The following is evidence-informed recommendations based on a number of recent local studies (14, 28–30):…”

“…The Syrian Ministry of Health should review its regulations and carry out necessary reforms for fluoride products so that they become subject to drug monitoring systems to ensure effective and safe fluoride concentrations in such products (14).…”