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International Journal of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics Volume 3 (2017), Article ID 3:IJCND-121, 6 pages
https://doi.org/10.15344/2456-8171/2017/121
Research Article
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Usage Related to Dietary Supplements in a Group of Canadian Dental Students: A Pilot Study

Jay Hoover1*, Hassan Vatanparast2, Clinton Chess3 and Yasir Daoud3

1College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
2College of Pharmacy and Nutrition/School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon, SK, Canada
3College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Dr. Jay Hoover, College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; E-mail: j.hoover@usask.ca
15 June 2017; 29 August 2017; 31 August 2017
Hoover J, Vatanparast H, Chess C, Daoud Y (2017) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Usage Related to Dietary Supplements in a Group of Canadian Dental Students: A Pilot Study. Int J Clin Nutr Diet 3: 121. doi: https://doi.org/10.15344/2456-8171/2017/121
The Funding was provided by the College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan.

Abstract

Background: Considering the increasing usage of dietary supplements by the general population, knowledgeable dental practitioners should be able to guide patients concerning the judicial use, efficacy, adverse effects and potential drug interactions of these products. The aim of this study was to determine usage, knowledge, and attitudes related to dietary supplements in a group of Canadian dental students.
Methods: A total of 105 dental students completed a questionnaire consisting of three parts; Demographics and lifestyle; Usage and opinions concerning dietary supplements; and Knowledge concerning micronutrients and deficiency.
Results: Multivitamins and protein powder were most commonly consumed as individual supplements, followed by vitamin C and calcium. Based on the Poisson Regression conducted, there were statistically significant differences in the knowledge of micronutrients between the students of first year and second year (p= 0.0030), third year (p=0.0060) as well as the fourth year (p=0.0190). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the knowledge of micronutrients between the students who consumed dietary supplements and those who did not (p=0.070).
Conclusion: Although dental students at the University of Saskatchewan consume a large number of dietary supplements, knowledge regarding the effects micronutrients have on the body, appeared to be inadequate. This highlights the need to increase content concerning nutrition and dietary supplements within the dental curriculum with the goal of producing well informed oral health personnel, who will be in a better position to effectively counsel patients on diet and nutrition with regards to their oral health.