University‐Industry Relationships in Dentistry: Past, Present, Future

Abstract

O ver the years, academic institutions, including dental schools, have become increasingly interested and involved in developing interactions with industry. The nature of such interactions has been evolving over many years, and there is a clear contrast between attitudes prevalent at the time I first entered dental school in the mid-1960s and the present. In the “early days,” dental academicians were, for the most part, disdainful of working with industry. One sensed that there was an implicit belief that dollars provided by industry were printed somewhere in the netherworld and, therefore, tainted, whereas dollars provided by other sources, including the government, followed a more pristine route from the heavens directly to academic institutions. Clearly, opinions have changed dramatically in the interim, and today it is rather common for academic institutions and industry to interact in a variety of ways. In this paper, I will first present an overview of the evolution of academic-industry partnerships in dentistry and their value to each of the partners; then discuss details to be considered by investigators seeking to work with industry; and, finally, review some of the issues and dilemmas that can arise from academic-industry interactions. I should note at the outset that much of this paper is based on my own experience and perceptions and that others in the field may have different viewpoints.