The efficacy of casein phosphoprotein-calcium phosphate complex (DC-CP) [Dentacal] as a mouth moistener in patients with severe xerostomia.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate casein derivatives coupled with calcium phosphate (CD-CP) (Dentacal, NSI Pty Ltd, Hornsby, Australia) as a mouth moistener in a group of dentate patients with severe xerostomia. DESIGN: The study was a subjective, patient self-evaluation questionnaire on the use of Dentacal compared with the moistening strategies that they usually used. SETTING: The study was hospital and community based. SUBJECTS/MATERIALS, AND METHODS: Thirty eight patients with severe xerostomia were recruited from the larger group of 124 who had taken part in a clinical trial of the anti-caries efficacy of casein derivatives complexed with calcium phosphate (Hay and Thomson, 2002). Each patient used Dentacal for 14 days and the responses to it were compared with the responses to their other mouth moistening strategies. RESULTS: The outcome indicated that Dentacal, when used as an atomised spray in the mouth, provided good moistening and lubrication. CONCLUSIONS: The material could provide benefits in both oral moistening and dental caries prevention in dentate people with xerostomia.