Parents Beware: Misleading Claims from Companies Banking Baby Teeth for Stem Cell Treatments

Many parents are investing thousands of pounds to bank their children's milk teeth stem cells, hoping these stored cells might be used for future medical treatments. However, an investigation by The BMJ reveals that the claims made by these companies about the medical benefits of tooth stem cell banking are largely unproven and potentially misleading.

The companies promote their services by asserting that stem cells derived from baby teeth are already being utilized in treatments for conditions such as autism and diabetes. They emphasize ongoing research into using stem cells for numerous other serious illnesses like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and heart attacks. The process involves sending children's lost milk teeth to laboratories where dental pulp stem cells are harvested and stored for around £1,900, with annual storage fees of approximately £95.

Currently, three UK-based companies—Future Health Biobank, BioEden, and Stem Protect—offer these services, all operating through a single laboratory. Future Health Biobank claims to have released 26 tooth stem cell samples for treatment, including autism, diabetes, and cartilage repair, mostly to private clinics in North America. BioEden highlights 'remarkable' ongoing developments among its customers, while Stem Protect lists diseases like sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and immune deficiencies as potential treatment areas.

Despite these optimistic claims, experts warn against taking them at face value. Jill Shepherd, a senior lecturer in stem cell biology, points out that these companies are selling hope based on scientific potential that has not yet been realized in clinical practice. Sufyan Hussain, involved in a global trial for stem cell therapy in diabetes, emphasizes that the optimal source of stem cells for future treatments remains uncertain. Furthermore, Tim Nicholls from the National Autistic Society condemns claims that suggest autism, which is a neurodevelopmental condition, can be treated or cured through such therapies, stressing that autism is not a disease to be cured.

There are also concerns about the lack of independent verification and transparent information regarding how samples are collected, validated, and stored. Experts advocate for more oversight and better consumer information to enable parents to make fully informed decisions. The BMJ has voiced its concerns over the marketing practices used by these companies and has called for review by the Advertising Standards Agency.

In response, Future Health Biobank states it is working to improve the clarity of its website, ensuring it separates anecdotal experiences from scientific outcomes, and maintains rigorous storage quality control measures.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-companies-parents-outrageous-banking-baby.html