The role of oral health care professionals in preventing and managing obesity: A systematic review of current practices and perceived barriers

Amit Arora; Prakash Poudel; Narendar Manohar; Sameer Bhole; Louise A Baur

doi:10.1016/j.orcp.2019.03.005

The role of oral health care professionals in preventing and managing obesity: A systematic review of current practices and perceived barriers

Obes Res Clin Pract. 2019 May-Jun;13(3):217-225. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2019.03.005. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

Authors

Amit Arora¹, Prakash Poudel², Narendar Manohar³, Sameer Bhole⁴, Louise A Baur⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; Oral Health Services and Sydney Dental Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia; Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. Electronic address: A.Arora@westernsydney.edu.au.
² Centre for Oral Health Outcomes & Research Translation (COHORT), Schoolof Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool, NSW 1871, Australia.
³ School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
⁴ Oral Health Services and Sydney Dental Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia; Sydney Dental School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia.
⁵ Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.

PMID: 30987885
DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2019.03.005

Abstract

Introduction: There is a growing interest to expand the role of oral health care professionals in obesity prevention and management. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the evidence on current practices of, and perceived barriers to, oral health care professionals' involvement in obesity screening and management.

Methods: Key search strings were developed and used in seven databases from inception through February 6, 2019. Data were screened against inclusion criteria, independently extracted, and quality appraised by two reviewers based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

Results: Ten studies were included in this review. The practices of oral health care professionals in relation to obesity assessment, counseling, and specialist referrals were found to be very limited. Oral health care professionals believed in their role to support patients for achieving weight-loss goals, however just over one-third were trained in anthropometry. Perceived barriers included lack of time, limited knowledge or training, patients' unwillingness to listen to oral health care professionals' advice, and lack of appropriate specialist referrals.

Conclusion: Oral health care professionals are well-positioned and supportive in undertaking healthy weight interventions in their clinical practice; however, their practices are limited due to barriers such as lack of time, limited training and lack of referrals.

Keywords: Obesity; Oral health care professionals; Overweight; Systematic review.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Attitude of Health Personnel
Delivery of Health Care / standards
Health Personnel / psychology
Health Personnel / standards*
Humans
Obesity / prevention & control*
Oral Health*
Perception
Professional Practice*
Professional Role*