In many parts of the world, unequal access to oral health professionals and facilities makes it difficult for communities to receive adequate care. This highlights the importance of preventive approaches that do not require clinical intervention. Dr Céline M. Lévesque, a professor of oral microbiology in the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto in Canada, is jointly leading a project to develop a probiotic-based solution for preventing dental caries. The research team is currently investigating which materials best support the growth of beneficial oral bacteria, how these probiotics function in the body and their potential health benefits through preclinical studies.