1.5 CEU Nutrition: Starting the Conversation

This course will discuss the impact of daily dietary choices and the effect they have on the human body. We will discuss nutrition as it relates to the dental patient and learn how to use appropriate resources and use of referrals to other health care providers outside of dentistry. Many chronic diseases have signs and symptoms within the oral cavity. Inflammatory diseases often begin with inflammation of the gingival tissue, or gingivitis, which is the first stage of periodontal disease. Dental professionals have the advantage of seeing patients two to four times a year for hour-long appointments. Dental professionals have the training to identify potential nutritional deficits for patients while discussing medical history, checking vital signs, or seeing signs within the mouth. It is within the scope of practice to present basic nutritional information to the patient as it relates to dental and systemic health. It is important that the patient receives this information as well as the appropriate referral(s) so that they can make informed decisions about their nutrition.

Course Objectives: At the conclusion of this course, the oral health care provider will be able to: 

1. Understand the role nutrition plays in common chronic diseases. 

2. Recognize early signs of chronic disease shown within the oral cavity or other aspects of the dental appointment such as vitals. 

3. Incorporate discussion of nutritional choices with patients through the lens of the dental professional. 

4. Utilize the provided or outside resources for patient education. 

5. Understand referrals to other health care professionals such as doctors, dietitians and registered diabetes educators.

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