Review Methodology
Our complete testing methodology and editorial standards.
Editorial Principles
We purchase every product at retail price. We do not accept free products in exchange for reviews. This eliminates the primary source of bias in product journalism.
All testing runs for a minimum of 30 days. Short-term testing does not capture real-world performance. Our 30-day minimum ensures we assess products under sustained use conditions.
A qualified dentist reviews all results. Our advisory dentist assesses both the clinical evidence for ingredient formulations and the real-world results from our testing panel.
We publish our testing criteria and the scores for every product we recommend. Rankings are not subjective — they follow directly from the scores.
Scoring Rubric
Products are scored on a 10-point scale across 8 criteria. The OHA Score is the weighted average of these criteria scores.
Testing Process
All products are purchased through standard retail channels at the listed price. No manufacturer samples, no review units.
Shade assessment using the VITA Classical Shade Guide at day 0. Sensitivity baseline established via questionnaire.
Products used as directed for 30 days. Shade assessments at day 7, 14, and 30. Daily sensitivity self-report. Usage compliance tracked.
Our advisory dentist reviews ingredient formulations, assesses clinical safety, and validates our shade assessment results.
Each criterion is scored on a 10-point scale. The weighted average produces the OHA Score. Rankings follow directly from scores — there is no editorial override.
How We Keep Reviews Current
Product formulations change. New competitors enter the market. We review all rankings every 6 months and re-test any product where the manufacturer has made a significant formulation change. Review dates are published on every page.
If you believe a product we've reviewed has changed significantly since our last assessment, contact us at editorial@oralhealthadvisory.org.