Screening Practices and Interventions by Pediatric Dentists in Texas to Address Childhood Obesity
Abstract
Childhood obesity is emerging as a global epidemic that threatens the health and well-being of children in the United States. Early identification of children at risk for
obesity is a key public health priority area. The purpose of this study was to examine the
screening practices, intervention procedures, barriers to the provision of services, and
attitudes of Texas pediatric dentists for those patients who may be at risk for childhood
obesity. Participants of this study consisted of a census sample of pediatric dentists
currently licensed in Texas. A paper survey was sent to 548 pediatric dentists actively
licensed in Texas. One hundred and nineteen pediatric dentists returned the survey for a
response rate of 21.7% (n=119). All survey data were coded and entered into an Excel
spreadsheet. The ordinal responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings
demonstrated that Texas pediatric dentists agree they have a role in helping children
achieve a healthy weight due to the implications of weight to general health.
Respondents indicated positive interest towards providing healthy weight interventions.
Approximately 36% (n=43) of Texas pediatric dentists agreed they are willing to employ
a screening tool to identify those children at-risk for obesity, 19% (n=23) are open to
inclusion of behavior-modification programs and 35% (n=42) are willing to offer dietary
counseling in their practices. Lack of parental motivation was identified by 54% (n=64)
as the greatest barrier to the provision of obesity related services. Additionally, 47%
(n=56) felt lack of parental acceptance to advice and 31% (n=49) felt fear of offending
the parent were significant deterrents. Texas pediatric dentists identified notable
incentives needed to confidently address at-risk populations for childhood obesity. Fifty-nine
percent (n=70) identified the need for more CE courses on the topic of obesity and
57% (n=68) felt there needed to be established clinical guidelines to integrate during
patient care. Fifty-three percent of practitioners (n=63) felt there was a need for more
evidence supporting the link between obesity and dental disease. Sixty-three percent
(n=74) report they would be more likely to include obesity related interventions in their
practice if there was increased availability of patient education resources. Their opinions
are independent of their age, area of practice and years of practice. Future studies need to
determine if the pediatric dentists’ perceived barriers to the provision of obesity related
services are in fact offensive and not wanted by parents. Future studies could investigate
which interventions are most successful and acceptable to children and their parents.
Interprofessional collaboration is needed among educators, pediatric health care
providers, oral health care providers, parents and community leaders to advocate for
societal changes that may lead to a reduction in the prevalence of childhood obesity.
Citation
Fisher, Tammy Renae (2018). Screening Practices and Interventions by Pediatric Dentists in Texas to Address Childhood Obesity. Master's thesis, Texas A & M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /174452.