Year : 2018

Volume : Volume 8

Issue : Issue 2

Address for correspondence :
Dr. S Kalaivani.
skalai2508@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: A synergistic relationship exists between oral health and diet. The practice of diet counselling influences the preventive dental care delivered to patients. This study is aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of diet counselling among dental professionals in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, South India.  Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in August 2017 among the dental professionals in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu using a structured questionnaire with 17 close-ended questions.  Results: Most of the participants (93%) agreed that there is a relation between nutrition and dental caries. Around 75% counsel their patients carrying high risk for dental caries. But, only 21% agreed that they always give diet counselling in their routine practice. There was a negative correlation between knowledge and attitude, positive correlation with practice which is not significant. There was a positive correlation between practice and attitude of the dental professionals.  Conclusion: Though there is greater awareness of diet counselling, the real challenge lies in making nutrition, dietary assessment, and guidance an integral part of routine dental practice.

Keywords: Dietary assessment, diet counselling, dental professionals.