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[Without risks and side effects? Product advertisements in dental journals].
Christian D Lauer1, Jens C Türp
1Abteilung für Zahnärztliche Prothetik, Universitätsklinik für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg im Breisgau, Deutschland.
Schweizer Monatsschrift Fur Zahnmedizin = Revue Mensuelle Suisse D'Odonto-Stomatologie = Rivista Mensile Svizzera Di Odontologia E Stomatologia
|August 12, 2006
Summary
Dental journal advertisements from 1970-2004 showed increased use of product images and decreased drawings. While most cited references supported claims, a critical review of dental ads is warranted.
Area of Science:
- Dental advertising analysis
- Scientific communication in dentistry
Background:
- Dental journals serve as a key platform for disseminating information on products and treatments.
- Understanding the evolution and scientific rigor of dental advertisements is crucial for informed professional practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of advertisements in major dental journals over a 35-year period.
- To assess the scientific approach and citation practices within dental journal advertisements.
Main Methods:
- Content analysis of advertisements from Schweizer Monatsschrift für Zahnmedizin (SMfZ), Zahnärztliche Mitteilungen (ZM), and The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) between 1970 and 2004.
- Examination of ad number, size, design elements (photographs vs. drawings), and the use of scientific evidence (citations, diagrams).
Main Results:
- Advertisements constituted a significant portion of journal pages (13.7%-29.9%).
- A trend towards increased use of photographs and decreased use of drawings was observed.
- Citations of study results and use of diagrams/tables were infrequent, with a notable percentage of unidentifiable references.
Conclusions:
- Dental journal advertisements have evolved in design, with a greater emphasis on product imagery.
- The scientific substantiation of claims in dental advertisements is limited, necessitating critical evaluation by dental professionals.