In a discussion with Sanjay Haryana, dentist and part of the Clinical and education team at TePe, we dive into TePe's educational initiatives, the commitment to promoting health and well-being, and the connection to sustainability.
TePe recognises the fundamental link between prevention, overall well-being and quality of life. According to Sanjay, TePe’s commitment to prevention has been integrated in the company since its foundation. That’s why we allocate substantial resources to oral health education efforts, often collaborating with stakeholders such as universities and dental professionals to provide guidance on topics like mechanical plaque control and best practices for oral hygiene.
The collaboration with the dental community was founded when the first wooden toothpick was developed. Our focus has been on producing userfriendly
products, and with the long-term positive impact on people’s oral health in mind.
"TePe recognises the fundamental link between prevention, overall well-being, and quality of life."
There are different levels of awareness globally.
– In some parts of the world, there is high oral health awareness among dental professionals, which is reflected in a positive attitude towards preventive dentistry. In other regions with low awareness, the focus is on addressing immediate dental concerns, often emergency dental care with minimal or no preventive interventions, maintaining a vicious cycle of a drill-and-fill attitude, Sanjay points out.
As a company, we must constantly adapt to address these differences in awareness. TePe actively strives to increase awareness of the importance of preventive care. To address awareness on a global level, TePe is deeply committed to education. We educate dental students with a focus on prevention, aiming to build their confidence, technical skills, equip them with effective tools for future patient interactions, and recognise the need for flexibility Sanjay highlights.
Over the years, scientific evidence supporting the connection between oral and general health has grown significantly.
– Part of our job is to highlight the link between oral and general health and sharing research that confirms that preventive measures can play a part in
maintaining health, Sanjay explains.
– TePe’s commitment to preventive dental care is rooted in its Swedish origin, Sanjay says. Our efforts to promote prevention have been significantly shaped by the Swedish attitude towards prevention and public health.
Sweden led the way in preventive dental care with initiatives like the Public Dental Service (Folktandvården), established in 1938 as part of the national public health strategy. Early adoption of dental insurance, along with initiatives like “Saturday sweets” and the fluoride rinse in schools, further demonstrate Sweden’s dedication to public health.
Working with dental prevention is essential for maintaining oral health, preventing oral diseases, and improving overall well-being. By promoting preventive measures, we can reduce the need for costly and invasive treatments, enhance quality of life and contribute to positive health outcomes.
– Without prevention, people may face issues like tooth loss, difficulty speaking, chewing, and even smiling, Sanjay says.
– There exists a distinct correlation between education, prevention, and sustainability, Sanjay says.
Sustainability in dentistry serves two primary objectives: enhancing quality of life and minimising emissions from dental treatment. TePe played an important role in shaping a global consensus on sustainable oral healthcare together with leading companies across the oral healthcare sector*. The conclusion of the consensus was that preventive dentistry and high-quality dental care are essential for minimising the environmental footprint of the dental industry. It has been shown that prevention reduces dental treatments, thereby affecting
energy consumption, material usage, waste and transportation to and from the dental clinic.
"Part of our job is highlighting the link between oral and general health."
Sanjay Haryana, Dentist and odontology education specialist at TePe
*Consensus on Environmentally Sustainable Oral Healthcare: A Joint Stakeholder Statement (fdiworlddental.org)