Gen Dent. 2001 Nov-Dec; 49(6): 616-20; quiz 621-2.

Understanding "alternative" dental products.

Jacobsen PL, Epstein JB, Cohan RP.

Oral Medicine Clinic, University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, San Francisco, California, USA.

Alternative, complementary, integrative, and holistic health care are matters of public interest and include oral and dental care products. There are a variety of dental products promoted as "alternatives" to the standard commercial dental products that most dentists recommend and most patients use. These alternative products can be categorized as standard dental products made with natural ingredients, herbal products, homeopathic products, and synthetic alternative products. Dental health care providers should be aware of the range of "alternative" dental products and be able to counsel their patients to understand the type of support and evidence needed to determine safety and efficacy of treatment. The use of dental care products should be based upon sound basic science and sufficient clinical evidence of safety and efficacy.