Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion in Pediatric Dental Practices

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptance and effectiveness of nutritional and healthy living instruction provided by pediatric dental residents to pediatric dental patients and parents in the dental clinic setting.

Methods: Pediatric dental patients aged 5-12 presenting for initial and recall dental

examinations to the resident clinic were assigned to either intervention or control group.

Heights and weights were recorded and BMI ratios were calculated on all subjects. A pre-counseling validated questionnaire on patterns of each child's eating and activity was given to each caregiver to complete. Nutrition and physical activity counseling with emphasis on a “5-4-3-2-1-Go!” information sheet was verbally administered to the parent/patient audience of the intervention group; control group subjects did not receive any counseling.

Results: Forty-two subjects were recruited. 50% of the subjects were of Hispanic descent. Television viewing accounted for a significant amount of respondents' time. 66% of respondents drank between one and three cans of soda pop daily. 76% of parents thought their child's eating habits should improve while 60% thought their child led a healthy lifestyle. 50% of parents felt their child demonstrated age-appropriate weight. 81% of parents surveyed answered that it is appropriate for dental professionals to refer overweight children for further evaluation.

Conclusion: Preliminary evidence shows that the pediatric dental clinic may be an acceptable setting to discuss nutritional and healthy lifestyle information with families.