Educating Future Dentists and Dietitians
New York University, Tufts University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey are examples of schools that offer a dental rotation during their dietetic internship programs. “Educating dental and nutrition students on the linkage of the two disciplines is important to establish early so they can build upon this knowledge when they enter the work force,” says Levine.
Internship preceptors interested in a dental rotation should meet with dental faculty to find common ground for developing a program. “It is important to be practical and show the breadth and depth of benefit that dental students will get from working with nutrition students,” suggests Sasson.
Dental rotations could also provide settings for internships with a shortage of practice sites. Dietetic interns help dental students with nutrition education and handouts, and dental students provide the dietetic students with an understanding of oral health. The end result is increased awareness for both disciplines and overall improved patient care. “Dentists and RDs both practice to improve health,” adds Levine. “By expanding these professional relationships patients have the benefit of belonging to a health care environment that is working together to improve their health.”