COLOGNE, Germany: Oral diseases affect 3.5 billion people worldwide, and untreated dental caries is among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases. In addition, a growing number of scientific studies prove that there is an association between periodontitis and several general diseases. There are both financial and social aspects to contributing to enhanced oral health.
TePe has had a focus on oral health and preventative dental care ever since its founding in 1965. TePe’s collaboration with the dental profession involves product development and educational activities such as webinars, scientific lectures and dental newsletters.
Dr Anna Nilvéus Olofsson, the manager of TePe’s expert team for odontological science and education, said: “Raising awareness of the fundamental role of oral health is at the core of TePe’s vision, and education is the tool. To drive change for progress, we collaborate with professional dental care services, universities and distributors worldwide. It’s a social sustainability mission aimed at improving the quality of life for people around the world.”
“Investing in the profession through education and inspiration means putting a focus on knowledge exchange,” she added. “We recently created TePe Share as a framework for our efforts to raise awareness of oral health and its connection to general health. Strongly linked to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and well-being), TePe Share is an essential part of our sustainability work.”
Dr Ralf Seltmann, senior manager for clinical affairs in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, has observed a growing interest in sustainability from patients, dental practices and dental companies. He explained: “Sustainability concerns are triggered by climate change and plastic discussions. Resilience of ecosystems is limited, and everyone shares responsibility for preserving the environment. This has led to innovation by producers becoming key criteria for retailers and an opportunity for consumers to make conscious choices. This is a positive development because it shows that consumers have an influence. However, the concept of sustainability is complex. Not every creative approach or ‘green’ product leads to better ecological and social circumstances. It’s essential to provide people with the tools and the knowledge required to evaluate what is relevant and what criteria to use in their own sustainability check.”
For this reason, TePe’s educational efforts include lectures and workshops about long-term sustainable choices and how to differentiate between the various “eco-friendly” options on the market.
Another piece of TePe’s sustainability puzzle is its endorsement of the Eklund Foundation for Odontological Research and Education.
“The Eklund Foundation operates entirely independently from TePe. Research must, of course, be carried out separately from company interests to be completely unbiased,” Olofsson emphasised. “However, TePe’s engagement in research and its understanding of the needs of the dental profession result in the company’s focus on innovation. A good product is not just visually attractive; it also needs to have a relevant application,” she added.
Seltmann concluded: “Responsibly produced products and solutions which contribute to long-term physical health and social well-being—that’s something to be proud of.”
Find out more about TePe’s plans for a sustainable future here.
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