How dentists could help tackle obesity in children
How feasible it is for dental teams to offer checks and support?
As a specialty registrar in paediatric dentistry, I’ve seen first-hand the pain children experience because of poor oral health.
Tooth decay in children is also linked to obesity. Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing other diseases throughout childhood and into adulthood, including diabetes, high blood pressure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
My research, conducted with colleagues at Loughborough University, explores how acceptable and feasible it is for dental teams to offer weight checks and support, such as referral to weight loss programmes, to patients during routine appointments.
In my job as a paediatric dentist, I discuss weight and health with families and offer referral to local healthy lifestyle services.
Read in full at The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/how-dentists-could-help-tackle-obesity-in-children-252258
Jessica Large is a Doctoral Researcher at Loughborough University and a Specialty Registrar in Paediatric Dentistry based in Sheffield.