University of Birmingham spinout Oral Health Innovations Ltd and Simplyhealth Professionals announce today that 100,000 assessments have been carried out by the highly regarded Denplan PreViser Patient Assessment oral health assessment tool (DEPPA).
DEPPA is an evidence-based online individual risk assessment tool which helps patients understand their current oral health and future disease risk. It assesses an individual patient’s medical history, dental history, lifestyle and their clinical status and provides feedback on current health and future disease risk directly to patients via a personalised report.
The system was developed for the UK by Oral Health Innovations Ltd to help patients understand their oral health needs and to support decision making by dental professionals.
The reports use a traffic light colour-code system of red, amber and green to indicate what is going well and what the patient needs to improve on with the help of their dental care provider.
Henry Clover, Director of Dental Policy at Simplyhealth Professionals said: “There is evidence to support that personalised biofeedback, delivered using reports such as DEPPA for patients, is more likely to trigger the emotional response required in order that behaviour change can occur than traditional methods. Improved oral health can only be achieved through a strong partnership between dentist and patient.”
Recent research has shown that patients who receive an individualised communication about risk as part of a routine dental consultation took advice on periodontal disease more seriously, and felt better able to follow it, than those who receiving a routine consultation alone (p<0.05). 1
Moreover, research presented earlier this year at the International Association for Dental Research conference showed that sharing the report with patients resulted in reduced levels of bacteria in their mouths and gum inflammation, and better daily oral hygiene routines.2
Iain Chapple, Professor of Periodontology and Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at the University of Birmingham, commented: “As routine dental consultations incorporate risk assessments for future disease, it is vital that we understand how to communicate this risk to patients, so they can distinguish between generalised advice and individual risk.”
The BioHub Birmingham, the University of Birmingham’s flagship biomedical incubator, will be hosting a bio-networking showcase and event on November 8th from 3.30 – 5.00pm.
The event will showcase selected assets and facilities at Edgbaston Life Sciences ecosystem to a delegation of Indian Medtech companies on the first day of the Innovate UK conference, which is being held at Birmingham’s NEC.
The Indian delegation will include companies such as Meril, SMT, Romsons Disposable Medical Devices, Bhat Bio-Tech India, BPL Medical Technology, Cipla, and Trivitron Healthcare.
The Edgbaston Life Sciences ecosystem hosts 64% of the city’s healthcare economy and has been described as the most complete medical innovation ecosystem in Europe.
Dr Ewa Truchanowicz, Business Engagement Manager for the BioHub Birmingham said: “The local ecosystem brims with opportunities for commercial and research collaborations, and the visit of this Indian delegation holds the prospect of facilitating productive introductions and dialogues.”
UK life science companies, researchers or investors who are interested in attending the showcase and networking event should apply by email to: [email protected].
ENDS
For further editorial information about the BioHub Birmingham®, or pictures, please email Ruth Ashton at [email protected].