Weighing in on pediatric obesity: Weight screening at the dental visit

Pediatric obesity is a public health concern requiring an interprofessional approach to care. Weight screening in the dental office can promote healthy behaviors to improve weight and oral health status and reduce systemic and oral health risks.

Oral health care professionals can perform weight screenings quickly. Routine weight screening of pediatric patients and early intervention through education and referral of patients to a registered dietitian nutritionist and a physician for more in-depth evaluation may help reduce disease risk.

Oral health care professionals can measure a patient's height and weight and can easily calculate body mass index percentile according to a patient's age and sex to detect weight status that does not fall within the normal range. Oral health care professionals should refer patients who are underweight, overweight, or obese to a registered dietitian nutritionist and the patient's physician for follow-up.