Evaluation of a Curriculum Embedded Weight Stigma Education Module in Dentistry and Oral Health Therapy Programs

Interventions to reduce weight stigma in the dental setting are limited.

To evaluate the impact of a weight stigma educational module in an oral health student population on self-reported weight stigma.

All final year dentistry and oral health therapy (OHT) students and first-year OHT students at two Australian universities were invited to participate. An introductory lecture on obesity in dentistry and pre-intervention survey to assess baseline weight stigma was given to all students; this was followed by the intervention-a healthcare professional educational module on both obesity science and patient experience of obesity, designed to reduce weight stigma. Participant post-intervention surveys assessed weight stigma and attitudes and beliefs regarding obesity.

Of the 217 students who attended the lecture and participated in the pre-intervention survey, 128 students (n = 90 OHT; n = 38 dentistry) completed all components of the study (educational module and post-intervention survey). Post-intervention, participants reported understanding factors beyond personal control contributing to obesity (92.2%) and that tailored approaches to treatment are needed (84.4%) using evidence-based, person-centered care for people living with obesity (85.9%). They agreed on the importance of healthcare practitioners acknowledging weight stigma to improve care (89.1%). Despite this, 21.9% still agreed/strongly agreed that people living with obesity should control their body weight better. From the post-intervention survey scores, dentistry and final year students had significantly lower total weight stigma scores than OHT and first-year students (p < 0.05). Regarding evaluation for usefulness, relevance and likelihood to recommend to others, the module scored highly, with average scores ≥ 7.9/10 for all three indicators.

A weight stigma educational module was felt to be useful and relevant among dental and OHT students but did not fully address issues of individual blame relating to the causes of obesity. The study provides support for the inclusion of obesity and weight stigma education within dental curricula, however, indicates the need for multifaceted interventions to address the complex drivers of obesity stigma.