@article {Cole38, author = {Doreen Dawn M. Cole and Linda D. Boyd and Jared Vineyard and Lori J. Giblin-Scanlon}, title = {Childhood Obesity: Dental hygienists{\textquoteright} beliefs attitudes and barriers to patient education}, volume = {92}, number = {2}, pages = {38--49}, year = {2018}, publisher = {American Dental Hygienists{\textquoteright} Association}, abstract = {Purpose: Increasing childhood obesity rates present a significant threat to public health. The purpose of this study was to explore dental hygienists{\textquoteright} (DH) beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, current practices, and barriers for assessing and educating patients about childhood obesity.Methods: A random sample of DHs (n=13,357) was selected and emailed a link to the validated survey. Of the 1046 respondents who accessed the survey, 919 completed the survey for a completion rate of 89\%.Results: A majority of the respondents understood the risk of chronic disease and obesity (99\%), role sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) play as added sugar content in the diet (76\%), and the amount of SSBs consumed by youth (91\%). Participants felt current research showed an association between obesity and periodontal disease (62\%), but were unsure of the association between obesity and dental caries (51\%). Most respondents never measure height and weight (91\%) or plot BMI (94\%). Fifty-one percent always provide nutritional counseling to reduce consumption of SSBs, but only sometimes provide nutritional counseling for healthy eating (61\%). Respondents had a slightly positive attitude (mean score=4.15, SD=14.58) about assessing and educating for childhood obesity. Major barriers reported were time constraints (63\%), and fear of offending the patient or parent (47\%). Regression showed attitudes towards patient{\textquoteright}s nutrition, exercise, and weight predicted the dental hygienist behavior.Conclusion: DHs have some understanding of the risks of obesity and general/oral health, but lack adequate training, knowledge, and confidence to provide obesity counseling in clinical practice settings. There is a need for further education to address the lack of knowledge about nutritional guidelines and practitioners{\textquoteright} beliefs regarding addressing childhood obesity without offending the patient or parent.}, issn = {1553-0205}, URL = {https://jdh.adha.org/content/92/2/38}, eprint = {https://jdh.adha.org/content/92/2/38.full.pdf}, journal = {American Dental Hygienists{\textquoteright} Association} }