Commercial Xylitol Product Supplied to US Armed Forces
Since February 2004, Meals-Ready-To-Eat (MREs) provided to soldiers in combat situation, as emergency rations, have contained Xylitol chewing gum. The specifications for an MRE Xylitol gum were envisioned and created through the efforts of a small group of high-ranking, dedicated oral health professionals representing the US Army, Navy and Air Force, who first came together in February 2002 and formed an ad hoc group, the Passive Caries Prevention, Education and Research Committee (PCPERC).
Now, just as it made the sugar chiclet in previous decades, Ford Gum and Machine have been awarded the contract to make the new Xylitol chiclet found in MREs. The use of such a Xylitol product is important for these soldiers since it is difficult for them to clean their teeth whilst in the field and toothache from decay is a significant cause of soldiers being declared unfit for deployment.
The MRE Xylitol change could have been fast-forgotten except that the US Army Global Dental Command (DENCOM) and their “Look for Xylitol First” program kept interest alive amongst the young professionals. This comprehensive program trains dentists, assistants and soldiers in caries prevention and is based on respected evidence available in the scientific literature. DENCOM personnel have been tireless in their support of Xylitol. They presented this deep support to Cadbury USA so that the high level of Xylitol in Trident gum, then only available in Canada could be available in the USA.
News of the acceptance of Xylitol as a caries prevention strategy eventually reached the top level of command, the Office of the Army Surgeon General. The “brass” wanted to know: if it’s good for them, why was Xylitol not being supplied to all the places soldiers eat when on deployment? As soon as the RFP was issued, it was forwarded to The Hershey Company, as they market a gum that fits the Xylitol chewing gum military requirements.
In February 2008, the US Army Office of G4, which is charged to evaluate all materials provided to deployed troops, mandated the provision of Xylitol chewing gums, but this time the widely available brand product containing appropriate levels of Xylitol, (Ice Breakers IceCubes made by Hershey), was selected to be made available to deployed troops via dining facilities. Success has been resounding and the troops really enjoy the great tasting IceCubes.
Where a soldier enjoys an activity thereby developing a healthy habit that lowers tooth decay and reduces cost of treatment, which is difficult at best out in combat zones — it is of interest to militaries throughout the world. The US Army Xylitol programs have recently received international interest as the program was the only dental presentation at the November 2008, Pan American Military Medical meeting (PACMM)--a regional working group under the aegis of the International Committee of Military Medicine (ICMM), headquartered in Belgium.
Today, the US Armed Forces demand for convenience and variety in Xylitol products does not stop - a Xylitol mint that meets “dose” requirements is a frequent request, especially from the US Navy where gum is not welcome onboard ships. So opportunities are abound for Xylitol and it is for manufacturers to see how eagerly welcomed Xylitol products are amongst young soldiers and their families for them to just connect the dots.
It should only be a matter of time before Xylitol products are recognised in the general population in the USA for both the great taste and unique dental benefits.
