Gum disease is one of the most common health problems affecting people in British Columbia and across Canada. It is a chronic and progressive condition that manifests with age. About half of adults over 30 have some form of periodontitis (gum disease), and nearly 70% of adults over 65 are affected by it. It causes gum bleeding, inflammation, bad breath, tooth loss, and can contribute to other health problems such as diabetes complications and heart disease. Gum-related diseases especially accelerate health risks for seniors with a chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease and cognitive decline, greatly affects their quality of life and increases the burden in our health care system. Despite this, most dental care currently focuses on treating teeth, while gum health and disease prevention are often overlooked. Many British Columbiansespecially those in rural, remote, Indigenous, or low-income communitiesalso face barriers to accessing regular dental care, which increases their risk of chronic gum disease.
Ediccare’s innovative, locally applied, sustained-release gel promises a safer, more user-friendly approach to managing early stage gum disease and promoting long-term oral health. This project seeks to investigate and validate the safety of Ediccare’s
topical gel platform as a routine gum health oral care product by evaluating its effect on the oral microbiome, as well as investigating its hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility. With a comprehensive evaluation of the safety profile of the platform, the project further seeks to investigate its compatibility with denture and implant surfaces for safe application/potential development, especially for seniors wearing dentures and/or having implants; as well as to explore its effects on human gingival cell lines for its potential application in post-surgery wound healing, cell regeneration and maintenance. The safety profile of Ediccare’s gel platform makes it a potential alternative to Chlorhexidine with less side effects especially when long term application is required. The gel is designed to be accessible, easy to use at home, and safe for people who have dental implants or dentures. By focusing on prevention and early treatment to strengthen continual care between dental visits, this project directly supports Health Research BCs mandate to improve health outcomes, reduce health inequities, and strengthen BCs health system through innovative research.
Through this internship, the trainee will gain hands-on experience in:
– Biomedical laboratory methods, including cell culture, microbiology, biofilm testing, and wound-healing models.
– Biomaterials science, learning how dental implants, prosthetics, and oral tissues interact with new health products.
– Health-focused R&D and product evaluation, strengthening their ability to assess safety, efficacy, and translational potential.
– Data analysis and scientific communication, enabling the intern to produce high-quality reports and presentations relevant to health organizations.
– Interdisciplinary teamwork, collaborating with researchers, clinicians, and product developers to align the project with health needs in BC.
This project also strengthens the organizations capacity in health-focused innovation, preventive care, and oral health research, helping it contribute new solutions to a significant public health issue in BC. The development of a safe and accessible gum-health product can help reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve wellbeing across diverse populations. The interns training further supports the organization by expanding its expertise in laboratory research, clinical translation, biomaterials testing, and community-oriented health innovationskills that help advance future projects, partnerships, and health-focused initiatives aligned with the goals of Health Research BC.