Guidelines for Manufacturer Relations

The ADA Professional Product Review (PPR) presents its readers with objective, balanced and fair evaluation of dental products Information in the PPR is based on data collected, reviewed and analyzed by ADA staff, volunteers and consultants. Dialogue with dental product manufacturers on a variety of subjects, such as the manufacturer’s current products or appropriate test methods, are a necessary and important part of producing a well-informed, quality newsletter.

The PPR uses the guidelines below to manage its communications with manufacturers.

Examples are given of appropriate communications, as well as the kind of communications that are typically avoided. These are examples only and will not cover every situation. In all cases, the PPR bases its communications with manufacturers on the desire to provide its readers with the best, most credible information free from any real or perceived conflict of interest.

Examples of Appropriate Contacts

The PPR may:

• Ask the manufacturer to provide names of current products.
• Request technical information, directions, bibliographies or other information for a planned or ongoing product category evaluation, including product training or demonstrations, if deemed necessary.
• Ask for assistance with set-up for product forums or other methods used to gather dentist feedback on products.
• Ask the manufacturer to provide a limited supply of product(s) for a planned or ongoing product evaluation in quantities sufficient to support internal laboratory assessments and/or product forums or workshops (clinical simulations). Normally, such requests are limited to high cost, durable equipment that is returned to the manufacturer following the evaluation.
• Obtain feedback on planned test protocols and methods. The company is sent the final protocol with the results of their product’s laboratory testing.
• Conduct a site visit to the manufacturer’s facility or at the ADA for the purpose of sharing information about fair and objective test protocols and methods. The ADA will consider requests from a manufacturer to:
• Tour ADA laboratory facilities;
• Discuss proposed test protocols before testing begins; or
• Share pertinent information on issues related to the professional product evaluation program.

Manufacturers are not permitted to participate in or view ADA testing in progress because of the appearance this would give of undue influence and bias. As a general rule, travel and related expenses for ADA and manufacturer staff are paid for by their respective organizations.

• Provide results to the manufacturers of products tested and request the manufacturer’s feedback. Normally, the ADA only shares the results on a manufacturer’s own products. If information on other products is needed for context, it is provided without any company-specific identifiers. The ADA retains sole discretion over whether to publish any feedback received from a manufacturer.
• Contact a manufacturer’s customer service department to assess the company’s responsiveness to customers.

The PPR:

• Refrains from discussing an incomplete or interim test result with a manufacturer. Exceptions may be made where necessary, including to:
• Clarify directions-for-use or procedures;
• Replace a faulty or damaged product;
• Resolve a problem with test methods that affects most or all product test results in a given category;
• Discuss questionable test results with a company when there is reason to doubt the accuracy of the test results on its product.

• Does not suggest or accept financial support or compensation of any amount or kind from a manufacturer whose products are or may be under review.
• Does not state or imply that cooperation with requests for information or assistance involving the PPR is a condition for obtaining consideration from the ADA or any of its subsidiaries in connection with any other program or activity.

June 19, 2006