When do you counsel a dental patient? How can you initiate a conversation regarding nutrition into a regular prophylaxis appointment? It can be as formal as having a patient record a 3, 5, or 7-day food diary and return for dietary counseling. An informal approach may involve talking chair side, providing visual aids, brochures, or having a patient record a 24-hour recall. Counseling in the dental practice should focus upon reducing oral risks from diet and promoting good nutrition for health. Patients should be referred to a Registered Dietitian if there is an underlying medical condition.
Table 7 will help determine when to counsel in the dental practice and when to refer a patient to a Registered Dietitian.
| When to Counsel | When to Refer |
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