IF YOU are not comfortable with using mouthwash, don't use it.

But the Singapore Dental Association (SDA) will continue to approve alcohol-based mouthwashes like Listerine, as long as they meet its standards.

SDA public relations chairman Kuan Chee Keong told The New Paper: 'Our conclusion is there is still no evidence that alcoholic mouthwashes cause oral cancer.'

At present, the SDA endorses only one mouthwash, Listerine.

Dr Kuan explained that this was because Listerine is the only product whose manufacturers followed through with the checks conducted by the SDA.

'Manufacturers can choose whether or not to submit their products for the seal,' he said.

'If a product does not have a seal, it can mean they didn't submit, or they failed. Sometimes they submit and don't get back to us when we ask for more information.'

But he confirmed that so far no product had failed checks conducted by the SDA.

Listerine is also approved by the American Dental Association and the Australian Dental Association.

Dr Neil Hewson, federal president of the Australian Dental Association, said: 'We need to see more evidence before we can draw a conclusive link between mouthwash and oral cancer.'

Dr Kuan said alcohol was necessary in some mouthwashes as essential oils, which may be present, are not soluble in water.

'Essential oils have been proven to reduce and prevent the growth of plague,' he said.

The SDA said it will continue to watch for alerts from the US Food & Drug Administration.

When asked if the SDA received anything in return for endorsing products, Dr Kuan said it was given cash and contributions in kind, as stipulated in the contract.

'It is in our agreement with Johnson & Johnson that they are to fund one major lecture or three minor lectures a year for our dentists. This means they pay for the venue and dinner. We organise lectures in conjunction with them.'

Large-scale conferences are held at hotels and usually take up a full day and are attended by 200 to 250 dentists.

Smaller classroom conferences are held on the SDA premises. The speakers are arranged by Johnson & Johnson.

This story was first published in The New Paper on Feb 10, 2009.