Pediatric Dentists Combating Childhood Obesity

Purpose: This project examines whether dentists can effectively educate parents about childhood obesity and its causes, and parents' willingness to accept this information from a dentist.

Methods: Over six months, 92 parents of patients aged 2-12 years seen at San Diego Children's Dental Clinic for new patient, 3-month or 6-month visit completed a survey about childhood health and nutrition. Immediately afterward, an educational intervention was performed; parents received an oral presentation by a dentist containing AAP health and nutrition guidelines along with a sheet containing this information. A post-intervention survey was administered 3-6 months later.

Results: Of 92 parents enrolled 53(58%) completed both pre-and post-intervention surveys by December 2011. Mean ages of parents/guardians was 38.4 (range=21-70); children was 6.8 (range=2-12). Compared to before intervention, children spent more minutes per day in free-play after intervention (80.2 vs. 101.4, t=-1.66, p<.05) and were less likely to be rewarded with candy (27% vs. 8%, ÷2=6.61, p=.01). There were no significant pre- vs. post-intervention differences in amounts of TV watched or water and soda drunk per day (p>.10). Parents' rated their knowledge of causes of childhood obesity higher post- as compared to pre-intervention (3.9 vs. 4.2, t=-1.88, p=.03). There were significant differences in parents' willingness to take information about nutrition and causes of obesity from different sources (p<.0001); dentists were seen as knowing more than teachers but less than physicians.

Conclusion: Counseling about obesity by dentists impacts parents' knowledge and behaviors that can contribute to obesity. Dentists can effectively educate parents about childhood obesity.