Oral Presentation Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society Annual Scientific Conference 2023

Perspectives of the dental team on weight stigma, barriers and enablers for dental management of those with obesity: a qualitative study (98200)

Zanab Malik 1 2 , Kate McBride 3 4 , Kathryn Williams 5 6 , Deborah Cockrell 1 , Clare E Collins 7 8
  1. School of Health Sciences (Oral Health), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia
  2. Oral Health Services, Central Coast Local Health District, Gosford, NSW, Australia
  3. Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
  4. School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
  5. Nepean Blue Mountains Family Metabolic Health Service, Nepean Hospital, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Kingswood, NSW, Australia
  6. Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Nepean, NSW, Australia
  7. School of Health Sciences (Nutrition and Dietetics), College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
  8. Food and Nutrition Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia

Background

Evidence around presence of stigmatising attitudes and beliefs towards people with obesity amongst dental professionals and support staff is minimal. No qualitative studies have explored this subject in the dental setting.

 

Aims

This qualitative study aimed to identify and explore the barriers and enablers for the dental management of adults with obesity, as well as perspectives and experiences of weight stigma in the dental setting among dental professionals (registered general dentists, oral health therapists) and support staff (dental assistants, dental receptionists) working in private and public regional practices in New South Wales, and of special needs dentists across Australia.

 

Methods

Focus groups and semi-structured interviews (n=34 participants) were carried out with dental professionals and support staff. Recordings were transcribed verbatim, then a thematic (inductive) analysis approach undertaken to interpret the data and sort into themes.

 

Results

Key themes relating to numerous barriers to adequate provision of dental care for people living with obesity were identified, including weight stigma and logistical and clinical treatment planning considerations, with differing perspectives based on professional roles. Specialist referral pathways were frequently not considered by public settings with access to bariatric chairs or were unknown among clinicians in private practice. Minimal exposure to education around obesity was seen as a significant barrier to appropriate care for patients with obesity, and a desire for obesity education was reported by all participants. Themes unique to special needs dentists were experiences with weight stigma in existing referral pathways and weight stigma in alternate dental settings. Enablers to access and stigma reduction strategies, informed by personal and consumer lived experience of obesity, were proposed.

 

Conclusion

This study revealed numerous barriers and enablers for the dental management of people living with obesity, including experiences of weight stigma in the dental setting, with perspectives differing based on professional role.