Commercial entities play an increasingly larger role in driving health inequity, particularly in the way their marketing drives unhealthy product consumption. Nowhere is this more apparent than with sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soft drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened juices, which have been linked to a range of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay. In an effort to curb consumption and promote healthier choices, many countries and cities around the world have implemented taxes on these beverages.
In Australia, teenagers are consuming 60 grams (15 teaspoons) of added sugar per day, with 1 in 6 consuming more than 130 grams (33 teaspoons). That is well in excess of the upper limit of 24 grams (6 teaspoons) per day that the evidence says is necessary to minimise the risk of tooth decay. Around one third of that added sugar is coming from sugary drinks, which otherwise have little or no nutritional value.
The beverage and sugar industry in Australia strongly oppose any regulations such as a sugary drinks tax, claiming on one hand that it won’t make a difference to health but also that it would be detrimental to their respective industries.
In this episode of the Dental As Anything podcast we look at the evidence linking sugar to tooth decay and the effectiveness of sugary drinks taxes, and the role of the sugar and beverage industries in opposing measures that might harm their profits.
You can listen to the podcast here, and it is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts - don’t forget to follow/subscribe, and share with your friends.
World Mental Health Day
This month I was the guest host on the FDI World Dental Federation The Dental Checkup podcast, featuring Professor Tim Newton. October is Mental Health Month, and in this special episode we shine a light on the mental health challenges faced by dental professionals. The conversation explores the unique pressures dentists face, from perfectionism and physical strain to the emotional toll of patient care, and delves into the pervasive issue of burnout in dentistry, exacerbated by a growing consumerist model in healthcare, and the stigmatization of mental health discussions within the profession. Dentists are often reluctant to seek help due to fears of professional repercussions, yet emotional exhaustion can significantly impact clinical performance and patient outcomes. You can listen to the episode on Spotify here.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether from colleagues or professional services, and take advantage of mental health resources like the FDI Mental Health Toolkit.
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