Survey on patients’ attitude towards the nutritional counselling in the dental setting

A healthy diet may help prevent both oral and systemic diseases, and dentists and nutritionists can complement each other’s skills. Dental clinics, where patients regularly seek care, represent a valuable opportunity for nutritional counselling. To our knowledge, no prior study has evaluated patients’ attitudes toward dietary counselling in dental settings. This cross-sectional study investigated patients’ attitudes toward receiving nutritional support in dental clinics and whether a transdisciplinary approach would be accepted. A questionnaire was administered to patients attending three clinics: a private clinic, a hospital dental clinic within the national healthcare system, and a private dental practice within the same hospital. A total of 313 questionnaires were collected. Most dental patients acknowledged receiving nutritional advice from both dentists and nutritionists. The presence of a nutritionist within the dental setting was positively perceived, with patients valuing advice to prevent oral and systemic diseases, the development of personalized diets, and periodic follow-ups. These findings support the positive attitude of patients toward receiving nutritional counselling in dental clinics. Dental settings can be pivotal in screening and prevention for oral and systemic diseases, and a multidisciplinary approach is encouraged.

M. Iriti, G. Spallino, R. Franchini, M. Rigoni, P. Muti, G. Lodi, A. Sardella, E. M. Varoni