Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Dietary Assessment and Advice in the Paediatric Population Attending Dental Clinics: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aimed to identify barriers and facilitators, from both dental clinic staff and caregivers, to effectively providing and implementing dietary assessment and advice (for both oral and/or systemic health) in dental clinics managing paediatric patients.

METHODS: A protocol was developed a priori (Open Science Framework- https://osf.io/bp4ts.) and followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies published in English from 1990 to December 2024 in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase and CINAHL databases were searched. Additional journal searches targeted articles on dietary assessment or advice in dental clinics treating paediatric patients (aged ≤ 18 years), exploring barriers and facilitators for caregivers and dental clinic staff.

RESULTS: Of 4736 studies identified, 32 were included, with 5 additional studies included from manual searching. Sixteen studies were quantitative, 13 were qualitative, and 8 mixed methods. Across studies, 77 barriers and 45 facilitators were identified in providing and implementing dietary assessment and advice in the paediatric population attending dental clinics. Results were mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework. Common barriers for dental staff included time constraints and financial compensation, while caregivers cited controlling children's dietary habits as a major barrier.

CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the main barriers and facilitators in providing and implementing dietary assessment and advice in dental clinics treating paediatric patients is crucial to improving preventive healthcare.