260928 Perceptions and practices of Tennessee dentists regarding assessment and prevention of childhood obesity

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 8:50 AM - 9:10 AM

Erica Rosenberger Hale, MS , Public Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC
Marino Bruce, PhD, MDiv , Gramercy Research Group, Winston Salem, NC
Waletha Wasson, DDS , Endodontics and Operative Dentistry, University of Tennessee School of Dentistry, Memphis, TN
Joanna Buscemi, PhD , Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Bettina M. Beech, DrPH, MPH , School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC
     
Background: Frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and snacks increases the risk of weight gain as well as negative oral health outcomes such as dental caries. Dentists and dental hygienists are in a unique position to assist in efforts to reduce childhood obesity given their awareness about health risks associated with sugar consumption. The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes and perceptions of dental professionals about their role in efforts to address childhood obesity.

Methods: Dental professionals in Tennessee (n=607) were surveyed by mail regarding their current nutritional assessment and counseling of pediatric patients and their perceived self-efficacy in addressing pediatric obesity in dental settings.

Results: Nearly all of the participants (94%) were aware of the relationship between nutrition, oral health, and general health. A sizeable majority (85.4%) recognized that soda consumption is detrimental to oral health and can contribute to childhood obesity. Over ninety percent of respondents (91.8%) reported that dentists should know the principles of optimal nutrition and how to apply them; however, 51% felt that dentists do not have the time or skills (41.6%) necessary to provide overall nutritional counseling. A sizable segment of respondents reported a small to modest level of confidence (30.6%) in their training and ability to provide such counseling.

Conclusion: Dental professionals can play a role in the effort to reduce childhood obesity. However, interventions are needed to equip dental professionals with skills to counsel pediatric patients and their families regarding the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, dental caries and obesity.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention

Learning Objectives:
1. Demonstrate current practices of dentists in Tennessee regarding nutrition assessment and counseling for children; and 2. Demonstrate current attitudes of dentists in Tennessee toward providing nutrition assessment and counseling for children.

Keywords: Child Health Promotion, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I hold a masters degree and I am a research associate who has worked in the field of chronic disease prevention and management for 11 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5054.0: Integrating Nutrition into Medical and Dental Care and Training