Comparison of nutritional counseling between provider types

The goal of this study was to compare the provision of and attitudes toward nutritional counseling between pediatricians and pediatric dentists.

Questionnaires were mailed to 500 US members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The survey had a response rate of 33% (pediatric dentists=36%; pediatricians=29%). 84% of pediatricians routinely offered nutritional counseling compared to 71% of pediatric dentists. With respect to cariogenic foods, 82% of pediatric dentists and 74% of pediatricians correctly recommended bottle contents, and 33% of pediatric dentists and 19% of pediatricians correctly recommended snacks. 79% of pediatric dentists compared to 69% of pediatricians believed nutritional counseling had at least some effectiveness. Eighty-nine percent of both specialties somewhat or strongly agreed that nutritional counseling was an important aspect of oral health care.

While pediatric dentists made slightly better recommendations than pediatricians regarding cariogenic foods, both provider types demonstrated a need for more education regarding nutritional counseling.