Online Program

289798
Impact of sugar-sweetened beverages and citric acid drinks on oral health in central appalachia: A problem that needs more attention


Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 11:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Priscilla Harris, J.D., Appalachian School of Law, Grundy, VA
Oral health is crucial to the overall health of Americans. In the United States, disparities exist concerning oral health with low-income populations suffering a disproportionate share of dental disease and having less access to dental care. This is especially true in Central Appalachia. The amount of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) consumed, including SSBs and CADs, has exploded in the last several decades. Per capita consumption by Americans of CSDs increased from 33.6 gallons in 1986 to over 50 gallons in 2006. Though per capita consumption of CSDs has decreased in recent years, Americans still consume more than other countries. CSDs have also been replaced by other types of SSBs and CADs, such as energy and sports drinks. In addition, SSBs and CADs are increasingly being marketed in developing countries in Latin America and Africa. Even though research has shown that SSBs and CADs can negatively affect oral health, much of the discussion about SSBs has focused on obesity. Moreover, when oral health impacts have been discussed, the focus in the United States has been on caries and SSBs rather than on dental erosion and CADs, unlike in Europe. The lack of dental diagnostic codes makes it harder to measure the extent of the problem. This presentation will discuss results from research conducted in Central Appalachia concerning purchase and consumption of SSBs and CADs and also concerning oral health, including perceptions held by dental professionals. Lastly, it will identify some possible interventions.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related education
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
List the ingredients in Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) and Citric Acid Drinks (CADs). Discuss the potential oral health impacts of SSBs and CADs with a focus on dental erosion as most of the discussion has centered on caries. Describe the results of research conducted in Central Appalachia concerning purchase and consumption of SSBs and CADs and oral health, including perceptions held by dentists. Discuss possible legal interventions at the federal, state, and local levels.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have taught at Appalachian School of Law, located in Central Appalachia, for over ten years. For over two years I have been researching oral health in Central Appalachia with a focus on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) and Citric Acid Drinks (CADs). I graduated from University of Pennsylvania School (J.D.) and Florida State University (B.A.).
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.