Presentations 2020: Restorative

415 - The cariogenic effect of diet advice given by personal trainers may have and the understanding of this amongst trainers.

S Mehrotra
Presented by: Shivakar Mehrotra
Cardiff Dental Hospital

Currently there are 23,325 personal trainers registered in the UK. Furthermore, 9.7 million people in the UK own a gym membership which equates to 1 in 7 people. From this it is clear that the advice broadcasted in the medium of health and fitness affects a great many. A study was conducted to explore the possible cariogenic impact of diet advice from personal trainers. A total of 30 personal trainers volunteered in a self-participating survey to answer questions about their own oral hygiene; the foods they recommend; the frequency of eating they recommend and their own perceived knowledge of the impact their advice can have with respect to tooth decay in their clients. The questionnaire contained both qualitative and quantitative questions and the results analysed from a mostly qualitative perspective. A convenient sampling method was employed to select participants. Inclusion criteria: Those holding a UK recognised personal training certificate for at least 1 year. Exclusion criteria: Those not proficient in English and those not holding a UK recognised Personal training certificate for at least 1 year. Overall a meal frequency of 6 or more proved popular amongst our participants which carries a detrimental risk to caries. Other high risk advisement include recommending weight gainer shakes which are high in sugar and recommended to be consumed at more than one occasion. The inclusion of cheese in the diet by some personal trainers would have some beneficial properties but whether this would negate the negative effects of other components was not determined. 83% of participants said they knew about the effects that sugar can have on teeth. 63% said to know about the acidogenic effect of foods they recommend. In conclusion: meal frequency of 6 or more was the most damaging advice personal trainers gave but its impact was not quantified. Further studies should be conducted with a larger sample size to quantify the actual risk.
Consent Statement: There are no details on individual patients reported within the abstract.

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