Conflict of interest and professional integrity in the relationship between dentists and dental product companies

Background: Conflicts of interest (COI) between dental professionals and industry manufacturers represent a persistent ethical challenge that undermines the credibility of research, editorial independence, and evidence-based clinical decision-making. Despite global recognition of these issues, the dental field continues to exhibit inadequate transparency and inconsistent implementation of disclosure policies, threatening the integrity of professional conduct and patient trust. Objective: To comprehensively examine the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of COI in dentistry while evaluating current mitigation strategies and proposing evidence-based recommendations to enhance professional and research integrity. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR framework, encompassing seven peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2024. Data were systematically extracted concerning COI prevalence, disclosure completeness, research outcome biases, and policy interventions. Methodological quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist to ensure rigor, transparency, and relevance to dental practice. Results: Three principal dimensions of COI were identified. First, editorial independence was compromised in 62% of dental journals whose editors maintained undisclosed financial relationships with industry. Second, research validity was jeopardized, as industry-funded studies were 3.2 times more likely to report favorable outcomes compared to independently funded research. Third, clinical decision-making was influenced by commercial exposure, with 54% of practitioners modifying product preferences after attending industry-sponsored training programs. Notably, only 28% of journals possessed comprehensive disclosure systems. Conclusion: The findings reveal systemic deficiencies in COI disclosure and governance across the dental profession. To uphold ethical integrity and safeguard public trust, the implementation of standardized disclosure registries, mandatory COI education, double-blind peer review for industry-funded studies, and patient-facing conflict declarations is imperative.