Approaches to Oral Nutrition Health Risk Assessment

Abstract

Oral health plays a significant role in overall and nutritional health. This role becomes increasingly important for patients with oral or medical illness, patients with physical limitations that affect chewing ability, and patients who take medications that affect immune surveillance, oral ecology, and oral physiology. The primary focus of this chapter is to describe approaches to oral nutrition and diet risk evaluation for both the dietetics and dental professional. It is the responsibility of dietetics and dental professionals to conduct baseline evaluation of oral and nutrition status, provide appropriate education, and refer patients accordingly to the appropriate health professional (1). The synergistic relationship between diet/nutrition and integrity of the oral cavity and its potential impact on general health support the need for oral nutrition risk assessment as a routine part of dental care (2,3). Nutrition and oral health can have a significant impact on general health (1,2,4,5). Compromised diet intake can lead to decreased intake of essential nutrients and subsequent malnutrition, which increases the risk for systemic and oral disease.