The Nokia Rubber Workers' Sickness Fund (Nokian Kumiväen Sairauskassa) has entered into a partnership agreement with Finnish health technology company Koite Health Oy, deciding to increasingly focus on the oral health of its insured members. The fund will now reimburse the costs of Lumoral treatment for its insured members, providing a valuable additional benefit for maintaining oral health.

Lumoral is an innovative Finnish health technology solution that supports users' oral health by treating and preventing infections of the teeth and gums. The fund sees its solution as an important step towards preventive healthcare.

– The decision is based on thorough consideration and discussions with the fund's board. The board recognized the opportunities offered by the Lumoral device and unanimously decided to approve it as part of the benefits offered by the sickness fund, says Piia Virolainen, CEO of the Nokia Rubber Workers' Sickness Fund.

Piia Virolainen, CEO of the Nokia Rubber Workers' Sickness Fund.

Studies show that poor oral health is one of the major risk factors behind many common diseases, as inflamed gums and damaged tooth surfaces provide a direct route for bacteria.

– Oral infections are remarkably common globally, and they contribute to the onset of serious conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart, lung, and kidney diseases, says Tommi Pätilä, a heart and organ transplant surgeon at HUS Children's Hospital, in Helsinki. Pätilä is also one of the developers of the Lumoral method.

– As the population ages, we are inevitably heading towards difficult times in healthcare and its financial management. Oral infections significantly increase the need for hospitalization and its complications. Therefore, investing in oral care and its comprehensive understanding – especially in the prevention of dental diseases – pays off multiple times in the future, Pätilä continues.

Oral diseases are a significant expense

According to Virolainen, the decision will practically mean that regular Lumoral treatment, including Lumorinse tablets, will be covered for the health fund's insured members as part of the fund's dental benefit.

– Regular Lumoral treatment has an impact on oral health, but it also affects the overall well-being of its users. The Nokia Rubber Workers' Sickness Fund is constantly striving to improve the well-being and health of its insured members. The reimbursement of Lumoral device and Lumorinse tablets is one step towards this goal, emphasizes Virolainen.

Virolainen states that the Nokia Rubber Workers' Sickness Fund reimburses the most research and treatment costs. The next highest reimbursement is for insured members' dental treatment costs.

– Dental diseases can lead to significant costs, making our fund's dental benefit a highly valued and frequently utilized resource among our insured members. Quick access to dental care, without the inconvenience of waiting, is considered essential by our insured members, Virolainen adds.

According to Lumoral Area Manager Riikka Nisula, local dental clinics have eagerly welcomed the decision of the Nokia Rubber Workers' Sickness Fund to reimburse Lumoral and Lumorinse tablets because prevention and enhancing self-care support professional treatment.

The antibacterial Lumoral treatment effectively removes harmful bacteria from the surfaces of the teeth and gum lines. Home-administered Lumoral treatment has been found to be significantly more effective and better tolerated than chlorhexidine-based mouthwashes, which are commonly used today.

Nisula emphasizes that the antibacterial treatment is carried out as an additional treatment to mechanical teeth cleaning and does not replace the need to brush teeth and clean between teeth. So why is additional treatment to enhance mechanical oral hygiene needed?

According to studies, brushing teeth removes only 65% of plaque. Residual plaque remains in the mouth after even the most effective teeth brushing. Lumoral helps to remove this residual plaque. With regular Lumoral treatment, the tooth surfaces are properly cleaned.

Antibacterial treatment has also been shown to prevent and treat infections of the tissues surrounding implants. The treatment is suitable for everyone, but light-activated antibacterial treatment is seen as most effective for patients who need enhanced oral hygiene.

The Nokia Rubber Workers' Sickness Fund is a so-called supplementary fund that reimburses insured members for additional benefits according to its rules. The fund has about 1,200 insured members. Altogether, there are about 110 health funds operating in Finland, whose insured members consist of employees and/or office personnel. In many funds, retirees can continue to be insured by the fund, and in some funds, family members are also entitled to reimbursements.

For more information:  

Sakari Nikinmaa
CEO, Koite Health
+358 40 8222 034, sakari@koitehealth.com

Piia Virolainen
CEO, Nokian Kumiväen Sairauskassa
+358 50577015,5 toimisto@nokiankumivaensairauskassa.fi

In the field of dental care, changes are constant as fresh ideas shape the industry. A recent collaboration agreement between Finland’s Koite Health Ltd and Trading Co., Ltd. from Thailand is set to revolutionize dental care standards by introducing innovative light-activated technology to the country.

Founded in 2017, Innodent has been at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge dental solutions to Thailand's healthcare sector. Driven by a commitment to leverage the latest advancements in high-tech solutions, the company aims to provide the most innovative technologies to the dental industry. This strategic vision led to a partnership with Koite Health, and the introduction of Lumoral, a Finnish med-tech innovation, to the dental market in Thailand.

– The introduction of Lumoral to Innodent's product portfolio was the result of a personal recommendation from Dr. Hildebrand, a renowned maxillofacial surgeon from Berlin. Dr. Hildebrand's successful clinical experiences with Lumoral convinced the team at Innodent to explore this revolutionary technology further, explains Thomas Constantin, CEO and owner of Innodent Trading Co., Ltd.

Lumoral: an innovative personal healthcare device

So, what exactly is Lumoral, and how does it work? Mr. Constantin reminds that the close link between oral bacteria and overall health and well-being is an important factor that sparked interest in the Finnish oral health-enhancing innovation in the first place.

– Oral bacteria can cause dental caries and bad breath but there can also be more severe secondary effects such as cardiovascular diseases, dementia, psoriasis and many more. Overall health starts with a healthy mouth. It is therefore important to regularly clean the mouth thoroughly.

Lumoral is an innovative personal healthcare device designed to remove 99.9% of harmful oral bacteria while preserving the healthy mouth flora. Traditional oral hygiene methods can only remove approximately 60% of bacteria, leaving behind a significant risk of oral health issues, Thomas explains.

Lumoral's advanced technology utilizes color molecules in its Lumorinse mouth rinse, which adhere to harmful oral bacteria attached to teeth surfaces and gum tissue in the mouth. Subsequently, the light emitted by the mouthpiece reacts with the green sensitizer, effectively breaking down the cell membrane of bacteria and destroying them both from inside and outside. This method ensures the eradication of harmful bacteria without the risk of resistance development.

Long-term benefits for implant patients

The addition of Lumoral to Innodent's product portfolio aligns with the company’s focus on dental implantology, with a specialization in ceramic implants. While the industry predominantly utilizes titanium implants, scientific evidence suggests a significant risk of peri-implantitis, an inflammation of the tissues surrounding these metal implants, over time.

– Lumoral presents a solution to mitigate this risk, offering long-term benefits for implant patients, Constantin says.

Furthermore, Lumoral's versatility extends beyond implant care, offering benefits for individuals with various oral health concerns, including chronic bad breath, gum disease, and orthodontic patients wearing braces or clear aligners.

– This accessibility makes Lumoral an invaluable addition to Innodent's offerings, catering to a diverse range of dental needs in Thailand.

– The great advantage of Lumoral however, is that everyone benefits from removing harmful oral bacteria. Whether you are wearing braces or clear aligners, suffer from chronic bad breath, gum disease or simply want to have a perfectly clean and healthy mouth, Lumoral is your solution.

Promising prospects for both companies

The collaboration between Koite Health and Innodent holds promising prospects for both companies and dental patients in Thailand. Mr. Constantin says that for Innodent, this partnership marks a significant expansion into the business-to-consumer (B2C) market, enabling the company to reach individual consumers through online channels like their dedicated webshop.

– This shift opens new avenues for marketing and sales, enhancing accessibility to innovative dental solutions for patients across the country. Ultimately, the collaboration aims to raise awareness about oral health and its crucial role in overall well-being among the Thai population.

– By introducing Lumoral's advanced technology to the market, Koite Health and Innodent are paving the way for a new era of dental care in Thailand, one that prioritizes prevention, innovation, and improved patient outcomes.

The Lumoral oral care device, developed by Koite Health Oy, is now part of the selection at Apotek Hjärtat e-pharmacy in Sweden. This launch extends Lumoral's availability in the largest consumer market area in the Nordics.

Lumoral offers targeted elimination of harmful bacteria from dental plaque and treats oral inflammations. According to research, Lumoral therapy effectively eradicates harmful oral bacteria, including advanced gum disease. Similar light-activated antibacterial treatments have been utilized in dental clinics, but challenges such as the high cost and frequency of application have limited their widespread adoption.

Over the past year, Lumoral has expanded to several new European markets, including Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. The company continues to open new markets and constantly forges new distribution partnerships in in their already established market areas.

"Our goal at Koite Health is to offer the best possible customer experience and easy access to Lumoral and Lumorinse products. The launch at Apotek Hjärtat is crucial for us to be able to offer service and products throughout Sweden," commented Sakari Nikinmaa, CEO of Koite Health Oy.

Pharmacies serve as a reliable source of information on medication and health-related matters.

"Therefore, it is natural for us at Koite that Lumoral, the world's most innovative and clinically proven oral health solution, is available in pharmacies across Sweden," Nikinmaa continued.

In Sweden, as elsewhere in Europe, there is a growing demand for efficient and user-friendly health products.

"We already see rapid growth in Lumoral sales with hundreds of new users every month. Collaboration with pharmacies will further enhance sales as we work with a leading local pharmacy chain to strengthen product availability, education, and marketing," said Helen Huttunen, responsible for Koite Health Oy's market in Sweden.

"Oral health is extremely important for overall health, not just for oral health. Simplicity and availability increase people's interest and continuity in maintaining oral health. Now that Lumoral is easily accessible through the Apotek Hjärtat chain, interest naturally grows even further," Huttunen concluded.

During the initial phase of the launch, Lumoral products will be accessible through Apotek Hjärtat's online store. 

About Koite Health

Koite Health is a Finnish health technology company that has revolutionized Finnish oral health care with its dual-light therapy-based innovation. The company's expert team consists of experienced physicians and technology experts. The founders of the company, Sakari Nikinmaa, Tommi Pätilä, and Juha Rantala, established Koite Health in September 2018 as part of significant medical innovation commercialization projects funded by Business Finland and Aalto University. Koite Health was named one of Europe's top health technology companies in the Tech Tour 22 competition.

The Lumoral developed by the company is a teeth-cleaning device used in addition to regular teeth brushing. The device is suitable for everyone but is particularly important for those with cavities or gum inflammation. Lumoral is scientifically developed, and its antibacterial efficacy is well established. Lumoral is a Class II medical device and CE approved.