Obesity and dentistry: a growing problem

Obesity has increased at an alarming rate in recent years. It is now a worldwide public health problem. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies obesity as a chronic disease. Affected individuals are at increased risk of hypertension, heart disease and other illnesses. There are also important social implications. Within dentistry and particularly in the provision of conscious sedation, obesity can be a potential complicating factor. For example, the position of anatomical landmarks may be less obvious if surrounded by fatty tissue. Very obese patients may be housebound or have difficulty accessing dental surgeries. Dental chairs may not be of an appropriate design to accommodate some obese patients. However, little information or advice on this topic is available in the literature. This article reviews obesity from a dental perspective. Challenges in providing dental care for obese patients are identified and practical recommendations made for their management.