Finnish health technology company Koite Health Oy has signed a distribution agreement with Dental Warehouse Ltd. of the UK. Following the accord, Dental Warehouse will offer UK consumers and oral health professionals Lumoral® – the latest technology for improved oral health self-care.

Dental Warehouse is the leading distribution and fulfillment warehouse in the UK. The company sees Lumoral as a strong addition to its product portfolio, giving it a competitive edge in the dental industry. 

According to Alexandra Davis from Dental Warehouse, Lumoral’s unique technology – developed in collaboration with Finnish scientists and medical professionals – offers innovative plaque-targeting treatment capabilities, setting it apart from traditional oral care products. 

– The technology addresses plaque-related issues promptly, helping prevent severe oral health problems such as cavities and gum disease. Davis highlights that Lumoral caters to dental professionals and proactive consumers, expanding its target market.

Koite Health Ltd. will provide Dental Warehouse access to innovative and unique technology for dental plaque-targeted treatment through the agreement. 

– This can help differentiate us from competitors and attract customers seeking advanced oral care solutions, Davis says. 

Comprehensive oral health management

Poor oral health is a global concern that has prompted even the World Health Organization (WHO) to react. WHO estimates that oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people globally. In 2022, the World Health Assembly adopted the global strategy on oral health with a vision of universal health coverage for oral health for all individuals and communities by 2030.

Poor oral health also affects children. The Oral Health Foundation of the UK called in March for urgent action after a new report by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities highlights a “catastrophic rise in childhood tooth extractions”.

Figures released by the UK-based charity reveal an 83% increase in 0–19-year-olds admitted to hospital for tooth extractions under general anaesthetic due to tooth decay. There were 26,741 tooth extractions on 0–19-year-olds due to tooth decay between 2021-2022.

According to the report, significant disparities exist between areas within the UK. For example, Yorkshire and the Humber rates are over five times that of the East Midlands.

Alexandra Davis estimates that the UK dental market will reach a value of £9.62 billion in 2022. 46% of UK adults have visited a National Health Service (NHS) dentist in the last 12 months. 57% of people who have visited a dentist in the last five years received a general examination or check-up. 70% of British citizens use self-payment for their dental treatments.

Davis highlights a continuous need to improve prevention among patients in the UK regarding the oral health of adults and children. 

– While dental professionals emphasise the importance of preventive care, there are still areas where patients can benefit from better understanding and implementing preventive practices, she continues.

This is where new oral health-enhancing technologies such as Lumoral come in handy.

Lumoral is changing the future of dental care at home

Research shows that Lumoral's antibacterial aPDT phototherapy technology effectively eliminates harmful bacteria in the mouth while treating advanced gum disease. Similar light-activated antibacterial treatments have already been used in dental clinics. However, the problem has been the cost and frequency of these treatments to provide sufficient efficacy. 

Lumoral is a health technology product with a medical device status for treating and preventing oral diseases at home. Many dentists and the Finnish Association of Dental Hygienists already recommend the new teeth cleaning method, which improves traditional oral hygiene. Lumoral treatment does not replace mechanical oral hygiene but enhances it. Lumoral is also available for children aged four and above.

– Solid scientific evidence enhances the understanding of Lumoral's efficacy and showcases its benefits in treating periodontitis. Scientific backing helps to instill confidence in the effectiveness of Lumoral and contribute to its credibility within the dental industry, Davis says. 

Preventive health care, which includes using the antibacterial Lumoral method, will quickly pay for itself, bringing significant savings to society. This applies not only to dental care but to the entire healthcare system. Lumoral supports regular mechanical dental hygiene, helps achieve gum health, and prevents inflammation when regular dental hygiene is insufficient.

Dental Warehouse aims to provide its customers with the best possible modern treatment for oral diseases. Lumoral will be offered through dental practices through the Dental Warehouse website.

– This novel technology can appeal to individuals or organisations seeking advanced solutions in oral health. Dental plaque is a widespread issue that affects a large population. David highlights that Lumoral's ability to treat dental plaque efficiently can entice individuals and dental professionals looking for an effective tool to address this common oral health problem.

Davis continues that Lumoral's plaque-targeting capabilities align with the increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare. By proactively addressing dental plaque, Lumoral may help prevent more severe oral health issues, such as cavities and gum disease, without negatively affecting oral bacteria balance. This preventive aspect can attract those interested in maintaining optimal oral health.

According to Davis, increased awareness of oral health and hygiene drives the growing demand for advanced oral care solutions. Lumoral, with its innovative technology and ability to provide comprehensive oral health management, may meet this demand and be seen as a valuable addition to the market.

Taking oral health to a new level

Sakari Nikinmaa, Koite Health's CEO, says that partnership with the Dental Warehouse team is essential for Lumoral, enabling the company to serve dental professionals and their patients better in the UK. 

– By working with Dental Warehouse, we can take oral health to a new level in the UK and provide patients and consumers with the best possible treatment experience and outcomes. Koite Health's clinical results and the expertise of Dental Warehouse are perfectly combined with Lumoral's unique features and efficiency, says Nikinmaa.

The global oral healthcare market is estimated to be worth €470 billion. Koite Health aims to capture a share of it with their Lumoral solution. The company already has thousands of satisfied customers and ambitious future growth targets. Now, the aim is to make Lumoral a major global brand in the oral healthcare market through international partnerships.

– Our strategy is to partner with industry leaders to raise awareness among professionals about the Lumoral product and its benefits and to build a global sales structure to secure product availability globally, says Nikinmaa, one of the founders of Koite Health.

Sakari Nikinmaa, Co-founder and CEO of Koite Health Oy.

A plaque study conducted by a group of oral hygiene students as part of their final thesis, at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland, has been completed. The study shows that using antibacterial Lumoral therapy twice a week benefits the oral health of otherwise healthy people. The study also revealed that the reduction in oral biofilm was significantly greater in the experimental group using Lumoral than in the control group.

The study was conducted by Carolina Cavalcante Bitu, Panu Halen and Susanna Lehti, oral hygiene students at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Their supervisor was Saila Pakarinen, lecturer, oral hygienist and researcher at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. The study was partly conducted in cooperation with the health technology company Koite Health Oy.

The purpose of the thesis was to investigate the efficacy of the antimicrobial Lumoral method in reducing oral biofilm as part of an oral self-care routine in healthy 18-70-year-old study volunteers.

Biofilm control prevents oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis and caries. This thesis investigated the potential of indocyanine green (Lumorinse) activated photodynamic therapy of the Lumoral device in biofilm management to aid mechanical extraction from the mouth. In addition, the subjects' experiences in using the Lumoral device as part of their oral home care were analysed using qualitative methods.

The study divided the patients into two groups, an experimental group and a control group. The duration of the study period was one month. The control group, which received only oral self-care instructions, was used as a comparison. In addition to the oral self-care instructions, the experimental group received a Lumoral device and Lumorinse tablets to be used twice weekly.

The biofilm count was measured numerically using the Rustog index and the plaque index, once at the beginning of the study and again after one month. The resulting data were analysed using quantitative methods. In addition, a written evaluation was collected from the subjects of the experimental group about their experience with the Lumoral device.

All respondents found it easy to use the Lumoral device. The majority stated that they could continue to use Lumoral as part of their oral care routine, suggesting that healthy adults could also engage with Lumoral as a self-care measure to prevent oral disease.

Finnish health technology company Koite Health Oy has signed a distribution agreement with a Danish distributor of specialized dentistry products in the tissue regenerative and surgical fields, such as dental implantology. Following the accord, Puredent ApS will also offer Lumoral® – the latest technology for improved oral health self-care – to consumers and oral health professionals in the Danish and Icelandic markets.

– Common to the solutions that we offer is that they can differentiate clinics from other clinics and help their patients reach better oral health, says Thomas Boas, Founder and CEO of Puremedical Group ApS.

Puredent is part of the Danish Puremedical Group – a company that operates in the dentistry, medical and veterinary fields. Thus far, the company's dentistry business has offered solutions mainly for the dental repair and restoration segments. Following the Lumoral agreement, Puredent will focus more marketing efforts on the continuously growing preventative oral care market in Denmark and Iceland. 

According to Boas, Lumoral is a unique product that helps prevent and treat common oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and dental caries. 

Dental caries is the most common infectious disease in the world. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), severe periodontal diseases are estimated to affect around 19% of the global adult population, representing over 1 billion cases worldwide. The main risk factors for periodontal disease are poor oral hygiene and tobacco use.

Boas notes that Lumoral fits well in the company's product line as more and more dentists and medical physicians are beginning to understand the close link between oral and general health. This also means that a growing number of dentists are starting to put increased emphasis on oral disease prevention.

Boas stresses that the current dental market situation differs from the pre-Covid-19 era five years ago. This is when Puredent first sought to enter the preventive oral health market with an innovative diagnostics test that reveals whether a person has periodontal disease or not in their mouth. The so-called Matrix metalloproteinase-8 immunological test (aMMP-8) developed by Dr. Timo Sorsa – Professor of Periodontology at Helsinki University and Karolinska University – helps detect whether there is a periodontal degradation process taking place in a person's gum pocket before it is even possible to see visually.

Professor Sorsa is one of the most respected periodontal researchers in the world. He has been developing and patenting many solutions for treating periodontitis, including the most validated clinical test for active periodontitis identification. 

– The market in Denmark was not ready then, but it is ready now. Increased knowledge of the link between oral diseases and general health encourages oral health professionals to provide early diagnosis and preventive care. This is where both the antibacterial Lumoral method and the aMMP-8 diagnostics test come in handy,  Boas notes.

According to Boas, even the Danish Association of Dentists is pushing the "Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body" theme today.

– Lumoral is a novel product category in preventative oral care. Minimal effort can have a significant effect. If you look at this from the dentists' point of view, Lumoral is a way to improve their patient's overall health as home care between the dental appointments.

According to Boas, the signed distribution deal helps to bridge Puremedical Group's dentistry and medical businesses closer together and create synergy benefits. 

Thomas Boas, Founder and CEO of Puremedical Group ApS.

Lumoral – a novel, cutting-edge technology 

The agreement between Koite Health and Puredent includes all activities necessary to launch a novel medical device and a new technology in the Danish and Icelandic markets. According to Boas, the agreement will initially mean focusing on B2C operations, making the Lumoral method available to the Danish consumer and Icelandic users through a local partner of Puredent.

Through extensive communication, the company seeks to ensure that dental professionals in the Danish B2B market are also introduced early to the benefits of Lumoral treatment so that they can start recommending the treatment to their patients.

Boas points out that good oral hygiene requires adequate motor and mental skills. For example, flossing or brushing can be difficult because of age or physical disability, leaving bacteria-filled dental plaque between teeth. On the other hand, even when brushing teeth perfectly, studies show that an effective electric toothbrush only removes about 65% of harmful oral bacteria.

– With Lumoral you can't go wrong. This is why the Lumoral method is so unique. With brushing and flossing, you must follow strict procedures (twice a day, 7 days a week, 2 minutes tooth brushing) to remove plaque efficiently from your mouth and reach optimal oral health. Still, the efforts might not be enough. With Lumoral you just swish the mouthwash in your mouth and then let the antibacterial effect of the mouthpiece do its work.

Boas says that it is crucial that scientific evidence of Lumoral's efficacy is communicated directly to dental professionals to help spread the message of Lumoral's scientifically proven effect on oral health. Several scientific studies that clearly show the clinical impact of Lumoral's antibacterial dual light therapy have already been released.

Lumoral is changing the future of dental care at home

Research shows that Lumoral's antibacterial aPDT phototherapy effectively eliminates harmful bacteria in the mouth while treating advanced gum disease. Similar light-activated antibacterial treatments have been used in dental clinics, for example. However, the problem has been the cost and frequency of these treatments to provide sufficient efficacy. 

Preventive health care, which includes the use of the antibacterial Lumoral method to improve oral hygiene, will quickly pay for itself. Preventive oral health care also brings significant savings to society. This applies not only to dental care but to the entire healthcare system. Lumoral supports regular mechanical dental hygiene, helps achieve gum health, and prevents inflammation when regular dental hygiene is insufficient.

Puredent aims at providing its customers with the best possible modern treatment for oral diseases.  

Boas sees multiple groups of people who can benefit most from using Lumoral. These include patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, patients into fitness sports and promoting healthy living habits, elderly patients with limited motor abilities, and competitive athletes as well as patient groups in cancer, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

– The timing of this cooperation is likely to be very good. This cooperation is an exciting tool for expanding into the prevention business.

Sakari Nikinmaa, Koite Health's CEO, the partnership agreement's benefits are mutual. Partnership with Thomas Boas and his Puredent team are an important step for Lumoral to strengthen its reach in the Scandinavian market.

– Our strategy is to partner with industry leaders to raise awareness among professionals about the Lumoral product and its benefits and to build a global sales structure to secure product availability globally.

– By working together, we can take oral health to a new level and provide patients with the best possible treatment experience and outcomes. Koite Health's clinical results and Puredent's expertise and organization are perfectly combined with Lumoral's unique features and efficiency, says Nikinmaa.

Sakari Nikinmaa, Co-founder and CEO of Koite Health Oy.