Clinical Study: Can Removing Plaque Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk?
Kimberly Fasula, Director of Clinic Operations- Department of Orthodontics is the principal investigator on a study investigating associations between oral plaque and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. "Being a dental hygienist, oral hygiene is a primary focus for my profession and I was immediately drawn to this study," says Fasula.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the visualization of oral plaque, using a plaque identifying toothpaste, can motivate plaque removal thus lowering risks for cardiovascular disease. Fasula and her team conducted a clinical trial using an FDA approved product called Plaque HD™. Plaque HD™ is a toothpaste, which contains dye-indicating Targetol Technology™. Sixty-one, apparently healthy subjects were randomized to either the test toothpaste group or the control toothpaste group and had both oral plaque and C-reactive protein serum levels analyzed at baseline and 30 day intervals.
The Connections of Plaque to Our Immune System
Fasula and other dental professionals strive to educate patients on the oral and systemic connection, and how plaque can initiate an immune response. Research has shown that local inflammation can lead to systemic inflammation. C-reactive protein acts as a marker for systemic inflammation. It’s detected through blood serum and can spike within 2 hours of injury or inflammation and can repair within 2 days. Ineffective removal of plaque can set off this cascade of events. "I hope to use this pilot clinical trial to compare subject’s systemic inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein, along with efficacy for oral plaque removal to not only highlight the oral and systemic connection, but also to assist in lower systemic inflammation and potential cardiac risks," says Fasula.
Oral/systemic links have been studied for many years and continue to evolve in terms of subject matter and sophistication of research. The American Dental Hygienists Association has established key research goals as a priority in the advancement of the profession. One strategic element listed on the National Dental Hygiene Research Agenda focuses on health promotion and disease prevention through research. This research specifically addresses health promotion and disease prevention by introducing potential products that can educate patients on oral homecare and act to promote overall health. It can also pave the way for future research on this subject matter.
Research Collaboration in the Department of Orthodontics
Dr. Carla Evans, Department Head and Professor in the Department of Orthodontics and Ms. Grace Viana, Biostatician in the Department of Orthodontics, served as co-investigators on the study. In addition, Dr. Charles Hennekens, Professor at Florida Atlantic University, served as a consultant and collaborator on the study. We hope to use this pilot study to create a co-institutional, NIH funded, study between the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Wisconsin.
Kimberly Fasula RDH, MS, MPH
Director of Clinic Operations- Department of Orthodontics
UIC College of Dentistry
More on the Study
The test toothpaste is called Plaque HD. It was developed by Dr. Lawrence Hier, who is an alumni of the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a practicing orthodontist in the state of Florida. In an earlier phase, test subjects were given the Plaque HD toothpaste, which contains dye-indicating Targetol Technology, while a control group were assigned a regular toothpaste. In the latest phase, the study is focused on the effectiveness of oral biofilm removal in an attempt to lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
All research was conducted at the Clinic Research Center at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System.