توضیحات

The fifth edition of The Dental Hygienist’s Guide to Nutritional Care textbook for dental professionals!!! Why is nutrition information always changing? Concisely, nutrition is a relatively new science. It has long been recognized that certain food factors are important to health: in the early 1800s, all English ships carried lime juice, with a portion given to each sailor daily. However, isolation and discovery of the exact elements in foods and the role they play in maintaining health and preventing disease is more complicated.

The B vitamins were only discovered as late as the twentieth century. Scientists continue to research the nutrient content of foods, the specific physiologic uses of vitamins and minerals, and the quantity resulting in beneficial or harmful effects. Advances in technology continue to guide us in the functions and interactions of nutrients.

After discovering vitamins and determining which minerals and elements are essential to health, even more food components have been discovered, such as antioxidants and polyphenols, leading to shifting directions and policies. Expect further changes as research delves into the effects of the microbiome and nutrigenomics in maintaining optimal health and preventing chronic diseases. The science of nutrition is further complicated by such factors as personal food habits and nutrient interactions. You will realize in studying this subject that nutrition is a dynamic field relevant to both you and your patients.

The study of nutrition is a rewarding topic for dental hygiene students and practitioners, not only as it relates to patient education but also for how it can affect the dental hygienist’s own health. The Dental Hygienist’s Guide to Nutritional Care is designed to show both dental hygiene students and practicing dental professionals how to apply sound nutrition principles when assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the total care of patients, as well as to help them contribute to the nutritional well-being of patients.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and American Dental Association each recognize nutrition as an integral component of oral health. The dental professional should be able to assess the oral cavity in relation to the patient’s nutrition, dietary habits, and overall health status. A holistic approach to dietary management of a disease by all members of the health care team is especially appropriate to coordinate managed health care.

Since the subject of nutrition is a hot topic in today’s world, the consumer is challenged to comprehend and apply the overwhelming amount of nutritional information that can be confusing and conflicting. As the health source that patients may see most often, dental professionals should be able to knowledgeably and authoritatively discuss nutritional patients or provide appropriate referrals as needed.