Balancing dental health and overall well-being in children

Is Your Child's Weight on Track? How Dentists Can Play a Vital Role

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals that dentists, especially pediatric dentists, are uniquely positioned to identify and address weight issues in children. Learn how they can help!"

Dental caries (cavities) and childhood obesity are major health concerns. UK government promotes early detection and intervention. Dentists can recognize dental problems and weight issues, making them key healthcare providers.

A recent survey explored specialists in pediatric dentistry (SPDs) practice in underweight, overweight, and obese children. The goal was to understand how dentists can help diagnose and manage these conditions during dental appointments.

The survey looked at measuring height, weight, and BMI, the actions dentists take, and their feelings about their role in weight management. The results highlight the important role dentists can play, but also identify gaps in training and resources.

Why BMI Matters: Understanding the Numbers

Balancing dental health and overall well-being in children

Body Mass Index (BMI) helps determine healthy weight in children. A high BMI can lead to serious health problems, like heart disease and diabetes. Early detection is crucial, but many parents don't realize their child is overweight.

Children are defined as 'overweight' if their BMI exceeds the 91st percentile for their age and gender, and 'obese' if it exceeds the 98th percentile. NICE guidelines suggest that health professionals should use clinical judgement when deciding if to measure height and weight, and utilize every opportunity to optimize lifestyle choices.

BMI Screening in the Dental Clinic: Dentists have a valuable opportunity to identify children who may benefit from intervention. British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) advocates a proactive and sensitive approach.
What the Study Showed:Most responding dental practitioners measured weight, but not BMI, routinely. However, most (72%) used an online tool to calculate BMI.
Taking Action:Of those dentists who measured BMI, all of them had taken some action when the result was abnormal.

Dentists may see patients more regularly than other healthcare providers, putting them in an excellent position to notice weight changes. Also, poor diet is a common risk factor for both dental caries and unhealthy weight, making dentists well-placed to advise on diet.

Bridging the Gap: Training and Resources for Dentists

While dentists recognize their potential role, the study revealed a need for better training and resources. Some dentists lacked confidence in interpreting BMI results and felt unsure how to advise families. Many felt that there was a lack of clear guidance or referral pathway.

Dental schools should include BMI assessment and management in their curriculum. Practicing dentists need dedicated training to contribute to the holistic care of paediatric patients. NICE guidelines should be adapted to develop local protocols, advising dentists on when to routinely assess BMI.

By addressing these gaps, dentists can be better equipped to identify and support children at risk for weight-related health problems, working alongside other healthcare professionals to promote healthy lifestyles from a young age.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2018.810, Alternate LINK

Title: Paediatric Dentists' Identification And Management Of Underweight And Overweight Children

Subject: General Dentistry

Journal: British Dental Journal

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: E. Clark, D. Tuthill, E. J. Hingston

Published: 2018-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why are dentists considered to be in a good position to address weight issues in children?

Dentists, particularly Specialists in Pediatric Dentistry (SPDs), are uniquely positioned to identify and address weight issues in children because they often see patients more regularly than other healthcare providers. This frequent interaction allows them to observe changes in a child's weight over time. Additionally, poor diet is a common risk factor for both dental caries and unhealthy weight, making dentists well-placed to advise on diet.

Why is Body Mass Index (BMI) important in this context?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a crucial tool used to determine a child's healthy weight. A high BMI can be an indicator of potential health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. BMI helps to define when a child is 'overweight' (BMI exceeding the 91st percentile) or 'obese' (BMI exceeding the 98th percentile) for their age and gender. Early identification through BMI screening allows for timely interventions to mitigate these health risks.

What did the study reveal about dentists' practices and training in relation to weight management?

The study revealed that while many dental practitioners measure weight, not all routinely calculate and use BMI. Many used an online tool to calculate BMI. Those dentists who did measure BMI, all of them had taken some action when the result was abnormal. The study also indicated a need for better training and resources, as some dentists lacked confidence in interpreting BMI results and felt unsure how to advise families. This also included a lack of clear guidance or referral pathways.

Can dentists really play a role in weight management, and how?

Yes, dentists can and should play a vital role in weight management for children. Dentists are in a unique position to identify children who may benefit from intervention. The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) advocates for a proactive and sensitive approach to addressing weight issues. Dentists can screen for unhealthy weight by measuring height, weight and calculating BMI during routine dental appointments. They can also provide dietary advice, given the link between diet and both dental health and weight.

What are the implications of dentists addressing children's weight?

The implications of dentists addressing children's weight include earlier detection of potential health risks and the opportunity for timely intervention. Identifying weight issues during dental appointments can lead to better overall child health, potentially preventing serious conditions like heart disease and diabetes. However, the study underscores that dentists need more training, resources, and clear guidelines to effectively fulfill this role. This also highlights the importance of using clinical judgement when deciding if to measure height and weight, and utilize every opportunity to optimize lifestyle choices, as suggested by NICE guidelines.