Exploring the Negative Influence of Commercial Determinants on Oral Health: A Scoping Review

The commercial determinants of oral health refer to the strategies and practices of industries, especially those involving sugar, tobacco, and alcohol, that influence population behaviors and health outcomes. These determinants encompass the provision and promotion of goods and services for profit, including marketing, pricing, product availability, and the broader commercial environment in which these activities occur.

To understand the extent and types of evidence available on the negative influences of commercial determinants on oral health, map the literature, identify key concepts, and determine research gaps.

This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and reported as per the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases using standardized keywords as per the PCC framework. Sanjay Singamsetti synthesized the data narratively and presented them with a PRISMA-ScR flow diagram.

Twenty articles out of 626 records met the inclusion criteria and examined the influence of beverages and food marketing on children's oral health behaviors and dietary choices. Studies have shown an association between market exposure and increased consumption of cariogenic products. Content analysis revealed a high prevalence of food advertising featuring unhealthy products on television and in children's media. Multiple studies have highlighted corporate strategies that influence dietary habits and oral health outcomes across diverse populations, including developed and developing nations.

Collectively, the evidence indicates that commercial actors-primarily those marketing sugary foods and beverages-play a substantial role in shaping dietary behaviors associated with oral disease. Children and adolescents were consistently identified as the primary targets and the most susceptible population. Marketing operates through multiple channels, including broadcast media, product packaging and labeling, children's magazines, and point-of-sale (POS) promotions, contributing to increased sugar intake, increasing caries risk, and widening oral health inequities.