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Issues & People Professional Issues

Advocating for Soda Taxes: How Oral Health Professionals Fit In

Ms. Alisha Somji, MPH, spoke with Dr. Chiraz Guessaier about the recent article that she c0-authored in the Journal of the California Dental Association about the role of oral health professionals in advocating for soda taxes and sugar impact on oral health. 

Highlights

This article was written after Berkeley Media Studies Group analyzed media involving sugary drinks and found information on the effect of sugar on oral health was absent in coverage. The information was linked to diabetes and/or obesity while dental caries remains a chronic preventable disease.

Sugar taxes are voted on in several communities. The voices of dental professionals offer legitimacy and can help shift public conversations about sugar regulations. Industry targets vulnerable populations and works to counter taxes on sugary drinks and sodas. Oral health professionals, as part of the conversation, can also help to advocate for ways that tax revenues may be spent to improve oral health such as preventive initiatives, access to care etc.

How can oral health professionals build capacity?
• Include advocacy as a component of dental education.
• Form coalitions with other stakeholders such as public health professionals and organizations to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce sugar consumption.
• Incorporate media advocacy efforts – write blogs, opinion pieces, letters to the editor

Visit bmsg.org to learn more about Berkeley Media Studies Group and to access resources on media advocacy.

Read the article here

 

 

1 Comment

  1. Michael Wiseman October 20, 2016

    Additionally to the taxation of soft drinks, dietary supplements such as Boost should also be taxed. It contains 28 g of sugar or 7 teaspoons of sugar. Knowing that many senior patients may drink this product, and may be prescribed many xerogenic medications, their risk of root and coronal caries increase dramatically.

    Reply

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