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"Dental team-based education" Dental team perspectives and experiences about weight stigma: a qualitative analysis

Zanab Malik^1,2, Kate A McBride^3,4, Kathryn Williams^5,6

¹School of Health Sciences (Oral Health), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia. zanab.malik@uon.edu.au.

BMC Oral Health

|April 6, 2025

Abstract

Background:

There is evidence from qualitative and quantitative studies of the presence of weight stigma in the dental setting from the patient perspective. However, the perspectives of various members of the dental team and their observations and experiences of weight stigma are unknown. Given dental specialists in Special Needs Dentistry (SND) are often referred patients living with severe obesity for dental management, their perspectives are of specific importance, particularly with respect to currently employed and recommended weight stigma reduction strategies.

Aims:

Our qualitative study aimed to identify and explore among dental professionals and support staff in Australia, their perspectives and experiences of weight stigma. We aimed to identify any currently employed, and recommendations for, stigma reduction from SND specialists.

Methods:

Focus groups and semi-structured interviews (n = 34 participants) were conducted with two groups; dental professionals and support staff from regional New South Wales; and SND specialists in Australia. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic (inductive) analysis.

Results:

Key themes emerged related to observed experiences with weight stigma, with differing perspectives based on professional roles. The impact of weight stigma on dental management was highlighted. Stigma reduction strategies with an educational focus were also identified from SND specialist participants.

Conclusion:

The current study explored observations of weight stigma in various dental settings and perspectives which differed based on participant awareness and professional role. The negative impact of weight stigma on preventive dental discussions was identified. Stigma reduction strategies need to target the identified barriers and address the complex drivers of weight stigma before implementation. The findings of the current study emphasise the role for team-based education, led and guided by SND specialists through their professional advocacy roles and encourages the development of a dental team action plan to respond to observed experiences of weight stigma in the workplace.

Keywords:

Dental professionals Dental team Severe obesity Weight stigma

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