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Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes of Dental and Dental Hygiene Students Toward Obesity
Author(s) -
Magliocca Kelly R.,
Jabero Marvin F.,
Alto Dale L.,
Magliocca Joseph F.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1930-7837
pISSN - 0022-0337
DOI - 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2005.69.12.tb04032.x
Subject(s) - dental hygiene , overweight , obesity , medicine , dental health , dental education , population , public health , psychology , medical education , family medicine , nursing , environmental health
Obesity is recognized as a growing public health problem. The authors surveyed dental hygiene and dental students from one institution regarding education, knowledge, perceived professional duties, and attitudes toward the overweight and obese population. Half of the respondents reported no obesity education prior to professional dental education, and 80 percent received five hours or less while in professional training. While most students held a generally positive attitude regarding obese and overweight patients, a number of students demonstrated evidence of negative stereotyping. Obesity education and training must be integrated into dental education to permit greater understanding of coexisting medical problems, explore the basis for a negative attitude and work toward its elimination, and raise public health awareness within dentistry.