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Tell Pediatric Dentists to Say No to Coke Money!
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has entered a partnership with Coca-Cola for $1 million. The academy is dedicated to improving the health of children’s teeth, while Coke is dedicated to selling a product that contributes to tooth decay and obesity. With this partnership, the AAPD is, in effect, a captive of Coca-Cola, making it extremely unlikely that the academy will take positions antagonistic to the company, like opposing soft-drink machines in schools. Tell the AAPD leadership to end this partnership and say no to Coke money!
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Say No to Coke Money
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am outraged by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's (AAPD) partnership with Coca-Cola and I urge you to abandon it.
The academy is dedicated to improving the health of children's teeth, while Coke is dedicated to selling a product that contributes to tooth decay and obesity in children. Children today are drinking many more soft drinks than are good for their diets and health. Soft drink consumption has doubled since the 1970s. A recent study found that for each additional serving of soda or juice drink a child consumes per day, the child's chance of becoming overweight increases by 60%. And, while a number of different factors cause tooth decay, the American Dental Association -- the largest dental organization -- concludes that sugared soda increases the risk of tooth decay and the low pH of soda can cause tooth erosion.
Regardless of what the money is used for, the grant makes the AAPD a captive of Coca-Cola, making it extremely unlikely that you will take positions antagonistic to the company, like opposing soft-drink machines in schools, or supporting labeling of the added-sugar content of foods.
It's hard to imagine a professional association of dentists choosing a more inappropriate partner to fund educational programs. I think you must be incredibly naive to believe that Coke's gift is inspired by a newfound desire to promote dental health. Coke's idea of education is spending billions 'educating' kids to consume caffeine- and sugar-laden soda. I'm surprised that AAPD is willing to be co-opted in this way, and for relatively little money in the scheme of things.
I sincerely hope that AAPD will end this partnership and say no to Coke money.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
March 07, 2003
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The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has entered a partnership for $1-million with the world's largest soft-drink company, Coca-Cola. According to a press release by AAPD, the grant from Coca-Cola will "support important clinical, basic and behavioral research" and "create public and professional educational programs, based on science, that promote improved dental health for children."
Regardless of what the money is used for, the AAPD is a captive of Coca-Cola, making it extremely unlikely that the AAPD will take positions antagonistic to the company, like opposing soft-drink machines in schools or supporting labeling of the added-sugar content of foods.
Children today are drinking many more soft drinks than are good for their diets and health. A recent study found that for each additional serving of soda or juice drink a child consumes per day, the child's chance of becoming overweight increases by 60%. And, while a number of different factors cause tooth decay, the American Dental Association -- the largest dental organization -- concludes that sugared soda increases the risk of tooth decay and the low pH of soda can cause tooth erosion.
It's hard to imagine a professional association of dentists choosing a more inappropriate partner to fund educational programs. The AAPD would have to be incredibly naive to believe that Coke's gift is inspired by a newfound desire to promote dental health. Coke's idea of education is spending billions 'educating' kids to consume caffeine- and sugar-laden soda. The AAPD has been willingly co-opted and for relatively little money in the scheme of things.
Tell the AAPD leadership to end this partnership and say no to Coke money!
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