Pediatric obesity‐related curricular content and training in dental schools and dental hygiene programs: systematic review and recommendations

Abstract

Evidence of dental schools' and dental hygiene programs' efforts to address obesity and SSB consumption in children in their curricula is scant, while Commission on Dental Accreditation standards make sporadic mentions of diet and nutrition. Opportunities exist to leverage existing resources and innovative, experiential approaches, including IPE, to formally, and effectively address this important issue in predoctoral oral health education.

Healthy Futures: Engaging the oral health community in childhood obesity prevention – Conference summary and recommendations

“…They recommended that oral health professionals should be involved by proactively engaging and collaborating with other professionals in their communities in advocating for policies, disseminating resources on healthy eating habits, and conducting research to evaluate the effectiveness of existing practices and policies. The important responsibilities of dental schools and dental hygiene programs in obesity prevention were noted by Divaris et al , who focused on the role of dental education in addressing the lack of skills among oral health professionals related to preventing childhood obesity in their patients. Although there appears to be a paucity of such efforts currently occurring in dental schools and dental hygiene programs, the authors suggest that opportunities for interprofessional education could be leveraged to address this gap.…”

Dental students’ comfort discussing nutrition and obesity prevention with parents and caregivers

“…16 There are no descriptions in the literature of predoctoral dental school training specifically for obesity prevention. 17 As a grantee of a Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) sponsored initiative titled Predoctoral Pediatric Training in General Dentistry and Dental Hygiene (HRSA-17-068), the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry developed a curriculum to enhance dental students' training to address the oral health needs of children aged 0-5 years. As a part of that program, HRSA provided supplemental funding for grantees to also incorporate childhood obesity prevention into their curricula.…”

Public and dental teams' views about weight management interventions in dental health settings: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…16,17 Two previous systematic reviews have examined the involvement of dental teams in addressing obesity. 18,19 The first summarized evidence regarding dental school curricula in preparing dental students to reduce childhood obesity and consumption of SSBs. 18 The review found that the preparedness and knowledge of dental students and dental hygiene and therapy students on childhood obesity and SSBs was low with recommendations for greater inclusion of teaching about obesity and its management within dental school curricula and guidance in commissioning standards.…”

“…18,19 The first summarized evidence regarding dental school curricula in preparing dental students to reduce childhood obesity and consumption of SSBs. 18 The review found that the preparedness and knowledge of dental students and dental hygiene and therapy students on childhood obesity and SSBs was low with recommendations for greater inclusion of teaching about obesity and its management within dental school curricula and guidance in commissioning standards. 18 The second review explored dental teams' documented practices and their perceived barriers concluding that the majority support their role in assisting patients in healthy weight management.…”

“…18 The review found that the preparedness and knowledge of dental students and dental hygiene and therapy students on childhood obesity and SSBs was low with recommendations for greater inclusion of teaching about obesity and its management within dental school curricula and guidance in commissioning standards. 18 The second review explored dental teams' documented practices and their perceived barriers concluding that the majority support their role in assisting patients in healthy weight management. 19 The review also highlighted an interest from dental teams in developing knowledge and skills for weight intervention identifying lack of training and fear of offending patients as key barriers.…”