Acceptability and Feasibility of Obesity Prevention in a Dental Setting

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of adapting the model of pediatric dental care to include an intervention promoting awareness of healthy weight and behaviors that foster it. Dental care settings, given the paradigm of their standard of care, present an ideal opportunity for such interventions. This healthy weight intervention for children was specifically designed to be part of the biannual preventive and diagnostic visit. Methods: 135 6-13 year old patients of 2 community health centers received a “healthy weight” component to their hygiene visit. They were followed for 12 months through 2 or 3 routine visits. At each visit, a hygienist measured height, weight, calculated BMI, and helped the child in an assessment of his obesity-promoting behaviors: diet, physical activity, screen time and meal patterns. A “health report card” was generated for each child with recommendations and referrals, if needed. Time required for the intervention was recorded. Acceptability was assessed by focus groups with dental personnel and questionnaires to parents. Results: An important element of this feasibility study is the added amount of time that the intervention would need. The average length of the hygiene visit plus the Healthy Weight Intervention was 51 minutes at baseline, 39 minutes at 6-months, and 31 minutes at the 12-months. After baseline, these times are within the allotment (30 - 45 minutes) for hygiene visits at most dental settings. 98% of parents reported that the report card was helpful for making healthy changes for their family. Over 90% reported that their child was comfortable with weight measurement by the hygienist, and 95% reported that the dental office was a good location for this intervention. The dental personnel focus group participants were enthusiastic about the intervention; most thought it feasible to implement within their dental practice and would like to link it to oral health. Conclusions: This “healthy weight” intervention is a feasible addition to routine child dental visits. It was well accepted by parents and dental personnel.Supported by NIH DEO17446-01