IADR Abstract Archives
Exploring the Attitudes of General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) on Providing Dietary Advice Alongside Oral Rehabilitation for Older Adults
Objectives: As natural teeth are lost older adults often choose softer, more manageable foods which are also less nutritious. Previous research has indicated that prosthodontic rehabilitation can improve masticatory function but not nutritional status, highlighting a potential need for a combined approach of oral rehabilitation and dietary counselling. This study aimed to capture GDPs views on delivering dietary advice to older adults in combination with treatment to replace missing teeth and identify solutions to help inform the development and implementation of future dietary interventions within primary dental care.
Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with a purposive sampling strategy of GDPs. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. An iterative coding process using theme-analytic methods was used.
Results: 12 interviews were conducted with GDPs from Northern Ireland and England. Themes that emerged from the interviews included: concerns regarding adherence to dietary advice; lack of time and remuneration to provide dietary advice; and a lack of training. Minor themes identified included uncertainty regarding the dentist’s role in providing nutritional advice and lack of coordination between primary care providers and community services. All of the GDPs interviewed reported that they were already providing dietary advice to their patients but that this was limited to caries prevention.
Conclusions: The GDPs interviewed expressed positive attitudes towards providing dietary advice alongside oral rehabilitation for older adults. They identified the need for clear guidance, training and multidisciplinary cooperation to facilitate the implementation of this treatment modality.
Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with a purposive sampling strategy of GDPs. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. An iterative coding process using theme-analytic methods was used.
Results: 12 interviews were conducted with GDPs from Northern Ireland and England. Themes that emerged from the interviews included: concerns regarding adherence to dietary advice; lack of time and remuneration to provide dietary advice; and a lack of training. Minor themes identified included uncertainty regarding the dentist’s role in providing nutritional advice and lack of coordination between primary care providers and community services. All of the GDPs interviewed reported that they were already providing dietary advice to their patients but that this was limited to caries prevention.
Conclusions: The GDPs interviewed expressed positive attitudes towards providing dietary advice alongside oral rehabilitation for older adults. They identified the need for clear guidance, training and multidisciplinary cooperation to facilitate the implementation of this treatment modality.