Geneva, Switzerland — September 2025 — Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a broad-spectrum antimicrobial molecule increasingly used in modern dentistry, has been officially added to the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc) as a disinfectant. This historic inclusion affirms hypochlorous acid’s importance as a safe, effective, and globally recognized tool for infection prevention in healthcare—including dental settings.

The WHO Essential Medicines Lists serve as the global gold standard guiding healthcare systems, ministries of health, hospitals, and humanitarian organizations in more than 150 countries on the most critical medical agents needed to protect public health.
 

Implications for Dentistry Worldwide

Dental professionals operate at the front lines of infection prevention, managing one of the most microbially dense environments in the human body. Hypochlorous acid’s inclusion on the WHO Essential Medicines Lists validates its growing role across multiple dental applications, including:
 

• Pre-procedural oral rinsing to reduce microbial load

• Periodontal irrigation and infection control

• Disinfection of dental operatories and clinical surfaces

• Dental unit waterline sanitation

• Instrument and operatory disinfection

• Post-surgical antimicrobial support
   

Hypochlorous acid provides rapid, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and biofilms, while remaining non-cytotoxic to oral tissues at appropriate concentrations.

 

Unique Advantages for Dental Professionals

Unlike traditional disinfectants such as chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, or alcohol-based agents, hypochlorous acid offers a unique combination of clinical advantages:
 

• High antimicrobial efficacy with rapid kill times

• Excellent tissue compatibility and safety profile

• Non-irritating to oral mucosa

• No contribution to antimicrobial resistance

• No staining of teeth or restorations

• No known systemic toxicity at recommended concentrations

• Environmentally benign decomposition into saline
   

Hypochlorous acid is also naturally produced by human neutrophils as part of the innate immune response, underscoring its biological compatibility.

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WHO Recognition Accelerates Global Adoption

Inclusion on the WHO Essential Medicines Lists represents one of the highest levels of global validation for any antimicrobial agent. The designation helps accelerate:
 

• Adoption in dental clinics worldwide

• Integration into national dental infection control guidelines

• Procurement by public health systems

• Increased accessibility and affordability

• Expanded clinical education and research
   

This recognition is particularly important as dental professionals seek safer and more effective antimicrobial tools amid rising concerns about antimicrobial resistance and tissue toxicity from legacy disinfectants.

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A Turning Point for Modern Dental Infection Control

“The WHO’s recognition of hypochlorous acid as an essential disinfectant represents a pivotal moment for dentistry,” said Janice R. Goodman, DDS, MSc, CEO of HOCl Dentist. “Dental professionals now have global validation for an antimicrobial agent that combines exceptional efficacy with unmatched tissue safety.”

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About the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, first established in 1977, identifies the medicines and disinfectants considered most essential to meet global healthcare needs. It is updated every two years and serves as the foundation for national essential medicines lists worldwide.

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About Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl)

Hypochlorous acid is a naturally occurring antimicrobial molecule produced by white blood cells. It has emerged as a next-generation antimicrobial solution widely used in wound care, infection prevention, and increasingly in dental medicine due to its safety, efficacy, and biological compatibility.

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Media Contact:

HOCL Dentist

Janice R. Goodman, DDS, MSc

info@hocldentist.com

www.hocldentist