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Public Health · single question

Which of the following is a requirement for a toothpaste to receive the ADA Seal of Acceptance?

  1. It must be marketed as a whitening product
  2. It must have an RDA value above 250
  3. It must contain sodium lauryl sulfate
  4. It must contain fluoride
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Correct answer: D. It must contain fluoride

  • A. Whitening claims are cosmetic; the Seal is granted on safety and efficacy evidence, not on a whitening claim.
  • B. The opposite is true — RDA (relative dentin abrasivity) above 250 is considered EXCESSIVELY abrasive and would disqualify a product. The accepted ceiling is 250.
  • C. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a common foaming detergent but is not required; SLS-free pastes can and do carry the Seal (SLS may actually aggravate aphthous ulcers in susceptible patients).
  • D. Correct. The ADA Seal for a therapeutic dentifrice requires demonstrated ANTI-CARIES EFFICACY, which in practice means it must contain FLUORIDE, plus evidence of safety and truthful labelling.

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