The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Faculty of Dental Surgery welcomes the government’s decision to prohibit the advertising of unhealthy food before the 9pm watershed, and to impose restrictions to such advertising online.
Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery Prof. Grant McIntyre commented:
“Fast food companies spend billions of pounds globally to advertise foods high in fat, sugar and salt because that advertising works. Whilst there is nothing wrong with an occasional treat after a meal, such foods are becoming the regular diet for too many children, which is why we are seeing an epidemic of obesity in the western world. Dental decay caused by dietary sugar is the most common reason for children to be admitted to hospital in the UK.
“For this reason we engaged with the consultation which the government has now responded to and urged the adoption of restrictions on advertising, and we are delighted to see it now being implemented.”
- RCSEd was first incorporated as the Barber Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1505 and is based in Edinburgh and Birmingham.
- It is one of the oldest surgical corporations in the world with a global membership of more than 32,000, including 15,000 members in the UK.
- The College also has a significant worldwide presence with members in over 140 countries.
- The College promotes the highest standards of surgical and dental practice through education, training and examinations, its liaison with external medical bodies and representation of the modern surgical and dental workforce.
- The College has six faculties: The Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Faculty of Surgical Trainers, The Faculty of Dental Trainers, The Faculty of Perioperative Care, The Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care and The Faculty of Remote, Rural and Humanitarian Healthcare.
- It is also home to the UK’s only Faculty of Surgical Trainers, open to all those with an interest in surgical training regardless of College affiliation.
- Find RCSEd at www.rcsed.ac.uk, on X (formerly known as Twitter), on Facebook, and Instagram.
For further information, please contact comms@rcsed.ac.uk.