A comparison of the nutritional knowledge of dental, dietetic and nutrition students

Abstract

Conflicts in dietary messages remain widespread. Such conflicts can have negative effects on the behaviour, motivation and attitudes of individuals. Inconsistencies in dietary advice may be linked to inadequate training of professionals. Literature suggests that the nutrition training of dentists and oral health training of dietitians and nutritionists is limited. This study was designed to provide information on the nutritional knowledge of dental, dietetic and nutrition students and how this conforms to national nutritional guidelines, identifying differences between professional groups and conflicts in undergraduate training. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 124 dental, dietetic and nutrition students at Cardiff University and the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC). Significant inter-group differences (p <0.05) were observed in relation to recommendations concerning the between-mealtime consumption of a wide range of snacks and drinks. Dental students were mainly concerned with oral health problems (for example, acid erosion), while dietetic and nutrition students were mainly concerned with general health problems (for example, obesity). Just over a third of dental students felt that they had received sufficient training in the dietary management of patients. In conclusion, a common risk-factor approach and consistent nutrition guidelines are essential to improve health. In addition, recommendations should be made to incorporate oral health into the training of nutritionists and general health into the training of dentists.

"Dentists' and dietitians' recommendations of snacks and dental caries experience among kindergarteners"

“…-The conflict in the recommendations of snacks: We anticipated a conflict of snack recommendations between dietitians and dentist according to the previous study (5). The dietitians made recommendations based on the “balance of nutrition” (amount and variety of nutrients including protein, carbohydrates, fat, etc.)…”

“…The dietitians made recommendations based on the “balance of nutrition” (amount and variety of nutrients including protein, carbohydrates, fat, etc.) and the dentists made recommendations based on cariogenicity (5). We observed in the interviews with the dietitians and dentists, that there are multiple factors involved in making recommendations including, each professional’s perception, training differences, and clinical experience, all of which lead to conflicts in diet consultations.…”

“…Thus, caregivers of children receive dietary information from both dietitians and dentists. However, a conflict between these professionals’ diet counseling has been observed, (2,5) creating potential confusion in care givers of children.…”

“…Shah et al (5) reported that dietitians are mainly concerned with the connection between nutrition and general health, while dentist’s consultations are mainly focused on the effects of food on the oral health, this leads to a conflict between dietary messages. However, effects of this conflict in diet consultation on dental caries have not been reported.…”

Acceptability of delivery of dietary advice in the dentistry setting to address obesity in pre-school children: a case study of the Common Risk Factor Approach

“…Another issue related to training raised by dental practice staff and parents was to do with potential mixed messages in dietary advice provided through the CRFA. Low confidence levels reported by UK dental students in dietary management of patients indicates a real need to focus on improving dietary training generally in order to then successfully incorporate obesityrelated advice (32) . To deliver effective health promotion initiatives, dental practices must build communicative and trusting relationships with patients, which can be facilitated by public health and health-care organisations through community engagement (18) .…”