CDA Essentials 2014 • Volume 1• Issue 7

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24 | Volume 1 Issue 7
Issues and People
1-day workshop
In early 2015, Dr. Siqueira
will hold a live workshop to
discuss the project and how
dentists can get involved.
The workshop will cover
everything frompatient
consent to sample collection
and shipping, and database
updates.
Following the event, the
workshop will be available on
the Network for Canadian
Oral Health Research
website, divided intomodules.
Visit:
Help
advance
saliva research
Dr. Siqueira is hoping to create
a bank of 15,000 to 20,000 saliva
donors—healthy and diseased, young
and old—who will bemonitored
on a yearly basis.
Dentists who want to participate will
be asked to collect 2mL of saliva from
patients every year and update their
medical and dental history in a shared
database. When a donor develops a
disease, their “healthy” and “diseased”
saliva will be compared to determine
the changes. Contact Dr. Siqueria at:
Two biomarkers have also been identified for renal disease. This could
lead to patients collecting saliva samples and, with a test strip, verifying
whether they need dialysis immediately or if it can wait. This would
greatly improve their quality of life and save the health care system
money.
CDA: Could saliva help prevent disease?
WS: Yes, and this is an exciting new area for dentistry! My laboratory is
working on predicting how salivary proteins will evolve over time, and
on making that evolution happen today. We modify key amino acids in
proteins and combine proteins based on genes and proteins to create
super proteins that are resistant to—and can kill—bacteria, and that
can attach to the enamel surface strongly and prevent tooth decay,
periodontal disease and dental erosion.
We’re creating “intelligent proteins”—proteins that are only active when
required. Basically, we incorporate on/off components in these super
proteins. For example, when S. mutants or a lactobacillus starts producing
acid, the protein will get activated and start killing the bacteria. The
protein will remain inactive when there is no production of acid.
CDA: How close are we to using saliva for therapeutic purposes?
WS: It’s hard to say, but I think we might be 4 or 5 years away from
having our first product in the market.
We’re currently exploring easy and inexpensive ways to deliver super
proteins. Mouth rinses are an option, just like gels and toothpastes. It
could also be interesting to offer them in the form of lollipops or candy.
CDA: Is there potential harm associated with super proteins?
WS: Not at all—we’re only modifying proteins that already exist in
saliva. To be authorized to do human testing, we had to prove that
super proteins are not able to cause damage to the oral mucosa or any
cells in the oral cavity.
CDA: What will human testing consist of?
WS: We’re planning to start human testing in 2015–16. We’ll conduct
two studies. In one we’ll mimic the environment for tooth decay using
an orthodontic apparatus with enamel, to which we’ll add both sugar
and super proteins. In the other, individuals with a significant incidence
of tooth decay will receive super proteins as a preventive measure.
CDA: Do you work on conditions other than tooth decay?
WS: Absolutely! We’re in the early stages of creating a super protein
to prevent the formation of dental calculus. With regard to periodontal
disease, we’re working on a protein to add directly in the gingival sulcus
after scaling and planning, to help with healing and to keep the pocket
clean. a
This interviewhasbeencondensedandedited.
TheviewsexpressedarethoseoftheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyreflecttheopinionsorofficialpoliciesoftheCanadianDental
Association.