Objectives The present study examined factors that affect learning about dental caries and periodontal disease before or after graduation or completion of training for dietitians and registered dietitians.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted with members of the Aomori Prefectural Dietetic Association between October and November 2019, and 276 participants were included in the analysis. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the characteristics associated with learning about dental caries and periodontal disease; odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. The following independent variables were assessed: age (<30, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, or ≥60 years), license (dietitian or registered dietitian), and occupational field (medical institution [nutrition management or food service], administrative agency, nursing care insurance facility, school-related work, training instructor in training facility for dietitians and registered dietitians, or other).Results The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that dietitians and registered dietitians who had learned about dental caries and periodontal disease during training tended to be below the age of 40 years and have a registered dietitian license (dental caries: OR=2.79, 95% CI=1.08-7.24; periodontal disease: OR=6.51, 95% CI=1.71-24.84). Furthermore, dietitians and registered dietitians who had learned about dental caries and periodontal disease after graduation or training completion tended to be over the age of 40, have studied at a training facility (dental caries: OR=3.21, 95% CI=1.65-6.27; periodontal disease: OR=3.06, 95% CI=1.32-7.12), and be employed in the field of school-related work (dental caries: OR=4.23, 95% CI=1.03-17.27; periodontal disease: OR=5.56, 95% CI=1.15-26.98).Conclusions To facilitate increased cooperation among practitioners in the fields of nutrition and dental health, necessary opportunities for learning about dental caries and periodontal disease alongside experts should be provided to those who do not have a registered dietitian license and have not studied at training facilities.
Keywords: dental caries; dietitian; periodontal disease; postgraduate learning; training curriculum.