A Study of Nutrition in Entry‐Level Dental Hygiene Education Programs

Abstract

The aims of this study were to document the extent of nutritional content in U.S. dental hygiene program curricula; identify program directors' opinions, perceptions, and barriers to expanding nutritional content; and evaluate if a proposed nutrition curriculum model would be beneicial. This mixed methods study involved quantitative and qualitative aspects. An invitation letter was sent to all 335 directors of entry-level U.S. dental hygiene programs. In response, 55 directors submitted nutrition course syllabi from their programs (16.4% of the total) for the quantitative analysis. In addition, 14 nutrition instructors and ten program directors were interviewed regarding their perceptions and opinions of nutrition education for dental hygiene students. All aspects of the content analysis results revealed that nutrition content in entry-level dental hygiene programs is diverse. Some programs did not include nutrition content, while others provided oral and systemic nutrition intervention subject matter. Some programs offered multiple clinical nutrition applications and patient contact opportunities while most required none. The interview results disclosed a variety of opinions and perceptions of dental hygienists' role in nutrition. Several interviewees viewed dental hygienists' role in nutrition to be an integral part of patient care, while others indicated no role or providing caries prevention counseling only. Although dental hygienists are expected to provide nutrition assessments and interventions, no standards or standardized competencies exist for nutrition in dental hygiene education. A standardized nutrition model could be beneicial for entry-level programs to ensure dental hygienists possess basic knowledge to perform nutrition assessments

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

“…; those authors quoted American Dental Education Association (ADEA) survey data revealing the superior exposure (didactic, laboratory, and clinical experiences) to nutrition in dental hygiene versus dentistry programs, a finding that reiterates dental hygienists' role as a key player in disease prevention and health promotion. Along these lines, a recent survey among U.S. dental hygiene program directors underscored the potential benefits of introducing a standardized nutrition model in dental hygiene education to ensure new graduates are prepared to perform nutrition assessments and intervention to address the Healthy People 2020 intervention initiatives .…”

Didactic and clinical nutrition content in dental hygiene programs: Directors’ perspective

“…6 The professional education and development section of the National Dental Hygiene Research Agenda (NDHRA) that involves the evaluation of education curricula and methods to prepare students to meet community oral health needs could include nutrition knowledge. 7,8 Incorporating clinical nutrition in dental hygiene education for each phase of the dental hygiene care plan satisfies the minimum ADA CODA standards and the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice. 5,6 The American Nutrition Association states that nutrition belongs in our healthcare system and all health professionals need to be knowledgeable and empowered to integrate nutrition into their field of work, which includes dental hygienists.…”

“…8 DHEP directors reported the lack of nutrition content in program curriculum to be related to barriers of time and unqualified instructors to teach nutrition. 8 If DHEPs are not providing adequate nutrition education to students, DHEP graduates are not fully competent and confident in nutrition services. 8,19,20 DHEP nutrition content research is minimal and not current; therefore, the current status and future needs of nutrition education in such DHEPs is warranted.…”

Dietary Habits and Anthropometric Measures of a Dental Student Population

“…Some information is known about the training and assessment of medical students, although these studies are also relatively rare [15][16][17]. As more dental and medical students incorporate diet and nutrition studies into the curriculum, it becomes more important to understand the current state of medical and dental student dietary habits to focus on specific areas of concern [18][19][20].…”