On 14 November, the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) launched their 'Position statement on recommended actions to reduce the consumption of free sugars and improve oral health' (2022 edition) to coincide with the first day of Sugar Awareness Week, which BASCD proudly supports.

Charlotte Jeavons, BASCD Lead for Oral Health Improvement, said: 'We are pleased to launch our position statement on actions to reduce consumption of free sugars to coincide with the beginning of Sugar Awareness Week 2022. As a nation we consume far too much sugar with consequences of obesity and poor oral health within our population. This statement provides achievable actions to reduce consumption and the costs associated with poor health. We challenge those in power to help us take action and redress the balance'.

The 2022 position statement has been informed by a qualitative evaluation of the 2016 edition and updated to reflect current evidence. The statement provides BASCD guidance to advocate for awareness and improvement of health in respect to sugar. BASCD hopes that this will encourage dental teams and the wider dental/public health workforce to support and advocate for the awareness and improvement of health in respect to sugar. The statement reflects BASCD's continued commitment to supporting a broad range of actions that have been proposed by expert bodies, including:

  • Lowering the amount of free sugars in foods and drinks

  • Restricting the marketing and promotion of sugar-containing products

  • Reducing the amount of sugar-containing food and drinks sold

  • Advising, educating, and helping people to consume less sugar

  • Reducing the amount of sugar produced.

Louisa Polglass, Specialty Trainee in Dental Public Health, said: 'There is a huge amount of research and evidence that reveals the impact of excess sugar consumption on our health and wellbeing. BASCD has recognised the harm caused by sugar and are proud to support the launch of this position statement and continue to challenge the sugar industry'.

https://www.bascd.org/about-bascd/bascd-2022-statement-on-free-sugars-is-launched/