In a unique collaboration, The Journal of the American Dental Association has launched the JADA Industry Advisory Board to enhance its delivery of the latest information on new technologies to the practitioner.
Dr. Marjorie K. Jeffcoat, JADA editor, said this advisory board was laying the groundwork to accept submissions from industry and is working on the details of how the process will work.
"JADA’s mission is to assist dentists by giving them scientifically valid information that helps improve patient care," said Dr. Jeffcoat. "Our colleagues in industry are full partners, collaborating with us to improve care to patients. By working together we can deliver information from a broader base."
She emphasized that JADA’s peer-review process would apply to any dental industry submissions. "These are not intended to be advertisements but will be peer-reviewed articles for the practitioner. We recognize the great strengths within industry, as well as limitations related to the ability of a company to share proprietary information. For example, patent issues may affect a company’s willingness to submit a study or report. We want to work with them on these types of issues to find ways to make this viable."
Chairing the advisory board is Dr. Michael Bagby, associate professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, West Virginia University, Morgan-town. "There is an onslaught of new technology in dentistry, and practitioners often have difficulty understanding how these products may fit into their practice," he noted. "The committee hopes to bring scientific information to JADA to assist the practitioner in evaluating new technologies."
"I am really pleased to see this new direction with the dental industry—we truly are partners in delivering the best oral health care to the American public," said Dr. D. Gregory Chadwick, ADA president. "Personally, I look forward to reading the results of this new approach."
The advisory board aims to recruit from industry important research, state-of-the-art reviews and summaries about the latest advances in technology. "This is a prime example," noted Dr. James Bramson, ADA executive director, "of what the ADA, through JADA, can do for our members that no one else can: provide the latest information on new technology, while assuring JADA readers of the highest-quality content through the peer-review process."
The dental industry echoes the enthusiasm of the ADA representatives. "I think this is a tremendously positive first step in what I see as a new partnership between industry and the profession," said Gary Price, president and chief executive officer of the American Dental Trade Association. "We have a joint mission in making patient care better."
"Secondly, from the industry perspective, I can tell you we are thrilled to have this opportunity to assist in the provision of information," continued Mr. Price. "Industry members are excited about the possibility of sharing information with the dental community and finding a formal way to do that. There are many very smart people working in industry who came from the dental community. The advisory board provides a standing mechanism for input."
The advisory board is structured to give industry representatives a rotating term. "They come in with the understanding that they don’t just represent their individual companies, but industry as a whole," Mr. Price added.
The ADTA position on the advisory board is a permanent appointment.
Dr. Jeffcoat said she is particularly interested in opening the lines of communication. "If an article comes in that is time-sensitive, we need to know that when it is submitted," she said. "We are always seeking ways to make The Journal better, and getting new, useful information to practitioners is our primary mission. I’m excited at the work we’ve started and gratified to see the level of interest among the industry—we’ve even had inquiries from companies that don’t operate in the United States."
In addition to Drs. Jeffcoat and Bagby and Mr. Price, the other members of the committee are
- – industry representatives: Dr. C. Yolanda Bonta, Colgate-Palmolive, Piscataway, N.J.; Dr. Michael Romanowicz, CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Newtown, Pa.; Dr. Steven Jefferies, Dentsply International, York, Pa.; Dr. David C. Alexander, GlaxoSmithKline, Jersey City, N.J.; Dr. George Tysowsky, Ivoclar Vivadent, Amherst, N.Y.; Martin J. Dymek, Nobel Biocare USA, Yorba Linda, Calif.; Sumita B. Mitra, Ph.D., 3M ESPE Dental Products Laboratory, St. Paul, Minn.
- – ADA representatives: Laura A. Kosden, publisher and chief operating officer, ADA Publishing, ADA Business Enterprises Inc., Chicago; James H. Berry, associate publisher, editorial, ADA Publishing; and James Sandrik, Ph.D., assistant to associate executive director, ADA Division of Science.
