The Oral Health Foundation Accreditation Scheme help people choose oral care products they can trust.

When a product carries our accreditation logo, it means that the claims made about the product have been verified by an independent panel of dental experts. The Panel checks that the claims are fair, accurate and supported by reliable evidence.

The scheme exists to make things clearer for shoppers. Many oral care products look or sound impressive, but not all claims are backed up. Our role is to help people feel confident that a product does what it claims to do.

The scheme in simple terms

• Independent and not commercially driven.

• Open to manufacturers of oral care and sugar-free products.

• Accreditation cannot be bought – a product must go through a robust assessment to achieve approval.

• Only products with accurate claims are accredited.

Why the scheme is needed

• The oral care market is crowded and competitive.

• Many products make bold claims that sound similar.

• It can be difficult for consumers to know what to believe.

• Our logo gives clear reassurance that the claims have been checked independently.

What approval means

• Dental experts have reviewed all marketing claims.

• Clinical and scientific evidence support the claims being made.

• The wording on the pack and in marketing reflects what the product can genuinely achieve.

• The manufacturer has agreed to follow responsible marketing practices.

Products that can be approved

• Toothpastes.

• Mouthwashes.

• Toothbrushes (manual and electric).

• Interdental products.

• Chewing gum and sugar-free confectionery.

• Other oral care items.

The scheme has been running for more than 25 years and currently supports more than 150 products sold in over 60 countries. It provides manufacturers with a trusted independent endorsement of their marketing claims, and it helps consumers choose products with confidence.

By checking claims before they reach the public, the scheme promotes transparency, protects the shopper, and raises standards across the whole oral care industry.