Exploring the current practice of dental professionals in discussing diet with parents/carers of children aged up to 2 years old

Abstract

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a prevalent oral disease affecting young children and is associated with inadequate feeding practices. The early years after birth are crucial for children's oral health due to the significant shift in diet from liquid to solid. Dental professionals are responsible for providing dietary advice to parents/carers during dental appointments to prevent ECC and promote healthy dietary habits for young children. Understanding the current practices of dental professionals in discussing diet with parents of children up to 2 years old is essential for improving oral health outcomes in this vulnerable age group. Aim: To explore the current practices of dental professionals in discussing diet with parents/carers of children aged 0-2, to identify any challenges that could limit dietary advice delivery and assess the solutions that may facilitate the provision of dietary advice. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was sent through social media platforms. The questionnaire explored demographic characteristics, current participants’ dietary advice practice, challenges experienced and potential solutions. Results: Of the responses of 195 participants, only 63 participants indicated that they usually see children for their first dental appointment before the age of three. Of 63 participants, 60 reported providing dietary advice to parents/carers of children aged 0-2 years as part of a typical dental appointment. The common topic in participants' dietary advice was sugar consumption, breastfeeding, and bottle feeding. Conclusion: Most participants who reported seeing parents/carers of children aged 0-2, discussed the child's diet to prevent early childhood caries (ECC). However, the small number of those participants may impact the findings' generalisability. Research is needed to support these findings and understand dental professionals' dietary advice practices for preventing ECC. The key challenges were clinical time constraints and lack of parents'/carers' awareness and receptivity. The study has identified possible solutions to enable dietary advice delivery, including allocating time slots for dietary advice, increasing awareness, teamwork collaboration, training, and educational courses.