Results Conclusion
Sugar Industry Public Relations Efforts to Influence Dentists’ Opinions, 1974-1978 Arielle A. Canoza; Stanton A. Glantz1,2, PhD; Cristin E. Kearns1,3, DDS, MBA 1. Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies 2. Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education 3. Department of Orofacial Sciences University of California, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
Background • The sugar industry has long understood the importance of scientific research in regards to industry interests • In the 1960’s the sugar industry funded research that diverted attention away from sugar and towards fat as the dietary culprit in coronary heart disease; and successfully influenced research priorities of the National Institute of Dental Research’s 1971 National Caries Program to align with industry interests • Nevertheless, the media continued to suggest sugar was responsible for health problems, including dental caries
Hypothesis • Sugar Association (SA), which represents the sugar industry, strategically targeted dentists to promote pro-sugar messaging on dental caries control from 1974-1978
Methods • Reviewed 515 internal SA documents from 1974-1978 for terms related to oral health, dentists, and dental professional groups
Results SA Forms Their Position: 1) Consults with dentists and dental researchers amenable to the industry
1) Spokespeople and representatives speak in the media and at dental conferences
• Places Dr. Robert L. Glass and Dr. Sidney B. Finn on SA’s Food & Nutrition Advisory Council • History of consulting with Dr. Dominick DePaola and Dr. Michael C. Alfano
Effects of SA’s Public Relations Campaign SA receives an award for gaining credibility in the medical community, aligning their position on basic nutrition with those of leading professional organizations, and diminishing public criticism by bringing “balance” to the discussion of sugar
2) Commissions a white paper to support the industry position without disclosing funding • Contains specific recommendations for caries control with no mention to decrease overall sugar consumption
• Attends American Society for Preventative Dentistry’s annual meeting
ADA opposes nutrition guidelines to decrease sugar consumption
• Makes and distributes radio documentary where Dr. Glass promotes industry position
SA’s Position: Dental caries can be controlled • with water fluoridation,
• Identified 186 documents for further review
• good oral hygiene,
• Identified emerging themes related to prosugar messaging
• developing a vaccine,
• Contextualized findings with secondary sources
SA Disseminates Their Position:
• discouraging frequent use of sticky sugars between meals, and
without limiting the total amount of sugar consumption
2) Hire dietitians to interact directly with dental professionals
Conclusion • SA enlisted dentists’ aid in changing anti-sugar attitudes toward dental caries control • The public health community should consider sugar industry public relations programs as an important determinant of disease
Support Funding provided by Dr. Deborah Greenspan and Dr. John S. Greenspan
Background • The sugar industry has long understood the importance of scientific research in regards to industry interests • In the 1960’s the sugar industry funded research that diverted attention away from sugar and towards fat as the dietary culprit in coronary heart disease; and successfully influenced research priorities of the National Institute of Dental Research’s 1971 National Caries Program to align with industry interests • Nevertheless, the media continued to suggest sugar was responsible for health problems, including dental caries
Hypothesis • Sugar Association (SA), which represents the sugar industry, strategically targeted dentists to promote pro-sugar messaging on dental caries control from 1974-1978
Methods • Reviewed 515 internal SA documents from 1974-1978 for terms related to oral health, dentists, and dental professional groups
Results SA Forms Their Position: 1) Consults with dentists and dental researchers amenable to the industry
1) Spokespeople and representatives speak in the media and at dental conferences
• Places Dr. Robert L. Glass and Dr. Sidney B. Finn on SA’s Food & Nutrition Advisory Council • History of consulting with Dr. Dominick DePaola and Dr. Michael C. Alfano
Effects of SA’s Public Relations Campaign SA receives an award for gaining credibility in the medical community, aligning their position on basic nutrition with those of leading professional organizations, and diminishing public criticism by bringing “balance” to the discussion of sugar
2) Commissions a white paper to support the industry position without disclosing funding • Contains specific recommendations for caries control with no mention to decrease overall sugar consumption
• Attends American Society for Preventative Dentistry’s annual meeting
ADA opposes nutrition guidelines to decrease sugar consumption
• Makes and distributes radio documentary where Dr. Glass promotes industry position
SA’s Position: Dental caries can be controlled • with water fluoridation,
• Identified 186 documents for further review
• good oral hygiene,
• Identified emerging themes related to prosugar messaging
• developing a vaccine,
• Contextualized findings with secondary sources
SA Disseminates Their Position:
• discouraging frequent use of sticky sugars between meals, and
without limiting the total amount of sugar consumption
2) Hire dietitians to interact directly with dental professionals
Conclusion • SA enlisted dentists’ aid in changing anti-sugar attitudes toward dental caries control • The public health community should consider sugar industry public relations programs as an important determinant of disease
Support Funding provided by Dr. Deborah Greenspan and Dr. John S. Greenspan
