Volume 7 • 2020 • Issue 5

Therefore, as we have stated in the results of this review, there is some variation across the studies with the concluded analyses. This variation not only depends on the differences in the study designs included in the meta-analysis, but also the number and quality of the papers included. As you can see, this is a complex process and careful interpretation is required of the outcomes of any systematic review. I suppose the process is analogous to cooking a meal. A good chef does not include every ingredient available in the hope that the final taste is acceptable. There are recipes to follow, with only certain ingredients added, to ensure the final successful outcome where the quality of specific ingredients are highlighted. Q What needs to be done to determine the acceptability and feasibility of using sugar-free chewing gum in public health? AB: Essentially, further high-quality clinical research. Trials with appropriate controls, patient numbers, of an appropriate duration to see the effects and/or changes in oral health, adequate recording of unbiased data and including the recording of adverse effects, environmental impact and societal views. As you can appreciate, such primary care clinical research in the modern world is not easy, quick or cheap to carry out. Reference 1. Newton JT, Awojobi O, Nasseripour M, Warburton F, Di Giorgio S, Gallagher JE, Banerjee A. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the role of sugar-free chewing gum in dental caries. JDR Clin Trans Res. 2020;5(3):214-33. OralHealth Resources forOlder Adults andPeople LivingwithDementia “More than 432,000 Canadians 65 years and older live with diagnosed dementia. With a growing and aging population, the number of Canadians with dementia is expected to increase,” says Dr. James Taylor, the Chief Dental Officer of Canada. I n 2019, the Public Health Agency of Canada released Canada’s first national dementia strategy, which “sets out a vision for the future and identifies common principles and national objectives to help guide actions by all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, communities, families and individuals,” says Dr. Taylor. The Office of the Chief Dental Officer of Canada (OCDO) developed oral health resources that support both this national strategy as well as older adults not living with dementia. These resources are intended to inform both older adults and caregivers on the specific oral health needs of older adults. To accomplish this, the OCDO commissioned scholars at the University of Alberta to undertake a comprehensive review of the evidence in this area. “The review provided the platform for the development of concise, user-friendly and evidence- based resources,” says Dr. Taylor. From these resources, older adults and caregivers can learn about the links between oral health and diseases including pneumonia, diabetes, heart attack and stroke. Among other skills, they can learn practical information about toothbrush modifications as well as how to identify warning signs for oral health problems common to older adults. The resources are available at: canada.ca/en/public-health/topics/oral-health/caring-your-teeth-mouth/senior.html N ews and E vents 21 Issue 5 | 2020 |