Manage Abstracts

A. Vanzan1, P. Papagerakis2, R. Dobson1, J. Lieffers1,
1College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
2College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease worldwide and has an important relationship with nutrition. To date, no Canadian data exist on the practices and perspectives of dietitians regarding nutrition to prevent and manage dental caries.

To describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dietitians regarding nutrition to prevent and manage dental caries in Canada.

An interdisciplinary advisory committee guided the study, and a 68-question survey to address the study objectives were developed using a multi-step process. Dietitians from across Canada were recruited using various channels to complete the online English/French survey (SurveyMonkey) from June to August 2021. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis using SPSSv28.

In total, n=235 responses were included. Overall, 61.2% and 77.2% of respondents were ≤40 years, and had ≤20 years of experience as a RD, respectively, with 84.0% and 29.5% working in nutrition care, and public health/health promotion, respectively. Most respondents (85.5%) had never received training on nutrition/dental caries. Respondents reported limited practice activities in this area; one-on-one nutrition counselling was the most common conducted frequently/occasionally by 35.7%. Respondents working in public health/health promotion performed more practices in this area versus those who did not. Barriers regarding nutrition/dental caries were experienced by 58.7%; lack of knowledge/training was most common. Collaboration between dietitians and OHP was limited. Most respondents (70.9%) agree/strongly agree that dietitians should have an expanded role in this area.

Dietitian respondents demonstrated substantial enthusiasm regarding this area of practice, but knowledge and practices were limited, and barriers were common.

Nutrition and dental caries is an exciting and emerging area of dietetic practice; more research, training programs, and dialogue with OHP are needed to equip dietitians to help decrease the burden of dental caries in Canada and beyond.

CFDR and SCPOR.