Researchers at two Australian universities tested whether teaching dental students about weight bias could help them treat patients with obesity more fairly. They taught 128 dental and oral health therapy students about obesity science and how patients experience weight-related judgment. After the training, most students understood that weight is complicated and isn’t just about willpower. However, some students still believed people should just control their weight better. The training was popular and useful, but experts say more comprehensive education is needed to fully change attitudes about weight and obesity.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether teaching dental students about weight bias and obesity science could reduce their negative attitudes toward patients living with obesity
  • Who participated: 128 dental and oral health therapy students from two Australian universities, including final-year dentistry students, final-year oral health therapy students, and first-year oral health therapy students
  • Key finding: After the training, 92% of students understood that obesity involves factors beyond personal control, and 85% agreed healthcare providers should use person-centered care. However, 22% still believed people with obesity should simply control their weight better, suggesting the training didn’t fully change all attitudes
  • What it means for you: If you’re a patient with obesity visiting a dentist, this research suggests dental schools are starting to train providers to be more understanding and fair. However, individual attitudes may still vary, so finding a compassionate dental provider remains important

The Research Details

This study followed a straightforward approach: researchers invited all final-year dentistry and oral health therapy students, plus first-year oral health therapy students at two Australian universities to participate. First, all students attended a lecture about obesity in dentistry and completed a survey measuring their attitudes about weight and obesity. Then, students participated in an educational module that taught them about the science of obesity and what it’s like to be a patient experiencing weight-related judgment. After completing the module, students filled out another survey to see if their attitudes had changed.

The researchers compared survey answers before and after the training to measure whether the education made a difference. They also looked at whether different groups of students (dentistry vs. oral health therapy, final-year vs. first-year) showed different results. Students also rated how useful and relevant they found the training.

This research approach is important because it directly measures whether teaching can change how healthcare students think about patients. By surveying students before and after training, researchers can see what actually changed rather than just assuming the training worked. Testing different student groups helps identify which students might need more education. This type of study provides practical evidence that schools can use to improve their teaching.

The study has some strengths: it measured attitudes before and after training, included students from two different universities, and tracked specific changes in knowledge and beliefs. However, the study has limitations worth noting: only 59% of students who started the study completed it (128 out of 217), which could mean the results don’t represent all students. The study only measured what students said they believed, not how they would actually treat patients. The training was relatively brief, so longer-term effects are unknown. Additionally, the study was conducted in Australia, so results may not apply to other countries with different healthcare systems.

What the Results Show

After the training, the vast majority of students showed improved understanding of obesity. Specifically, 92.2% of students reported understanding that factors beyond personal control contribute to obesity—such as genetics, medications, and environment. Additionally, 84.4% agreed that patients need tailored treatment approaches, and 85.9% supported using evidence-based, person-centered care for patients living with obesity.

Students also recognized the importance of healthcare providers acknowledging weight bias. About 89.1% agreed that it’s important for dentists and other healthcare workers to recognize and address weight stigma to provide better care.

When asked to rate the training itself, students gave it high marks. The module scored an average of 7.9 out of 10 or higher for usefulness, relevance, and whether they would recommend it to others.

Interestingly, dentistry students and final-year students showed significantly lower weight stigma scores than oral health therapy students and first-year students, suggesting that more advanced training or different educational backgrounds may influence attitudes.

Despite the positive changes, one concerning finding emerged: 21.9% of students still agreed or strongly agreed that people living with obesity should simply control their weight better. This suggests that the training, while helpful, didn’t completely eliminate the belief that obesity is purely a matter of personal willpower and responsibility. This finding indicates that deeply held beliefs about weight and personal responsibility are difficult to change with a single educational module.

This study adds to a growing body of research showing that healthcare providers often hold biased attitudes toward patients with obesity. Previous research has documented that weight bias exists in many healthcare settings and can negatively affect patient care. This study is one of the first to specifically test whether dental education can reduce these biases. The results align with other research suggesting that education about obesity science can improve understanding, but that changing deeply ingrained attitudes requires more comprehensive, ongoing efforts.

Several limitations should be considered when interpreting these results. First, the study only included students from two Australian universities, so findings may not apply to dental schools in other countries or regions. Second, only 59% of students who attended the initial lecture completed the entire study, which means the final group may not represent all students—perhaps more motivated or interested students were more likely to complete it. Third, the study only measured what students reported believing, not how they would actually behave with real patients. Fourth, the training was a single module, so we don’t know if benefits would last over time or if longer training would be more effective. Finally, the study didn’t include a control group of students who didn’t receive the training, so we can’t be completely certain the changes were due to the module rather than other factors.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, dental schools should include education about obesity science and weight bias in their curricula (moderate confidence). Students should learn that obesity is complex and involves many factors beyond personal control, and that person-centered, compassionate care is important (high confidence). However, a single educational module is not enough to fully address weight bias—schools should consider more comprehensive, ongoing education that addresses why weight bias develops and persists (moderate confidence). Dental practices should also consider training their staff on these topics.

Dental schools and educators should care about this research because it provides evidence that weight bias education is valued by students and improves their understanding. Dentists and dental hygienists should care because it shows they can improve their care for patients with obesity through education. Patients with obesity should care because it suggests the dental profession is beginning to address bias and discrimination. However, patients shouldn’t expect all dentists to have received this training yet, as it’s still being implemented.

Students showed improved understanding immediately after the training, as measured by the post-intervention survey. However, we don’t know how long these changes last. Real-world changes in how dentists treat patients would likely take longer to develop and would require ongoing reinforcement of these concepts throughout their careers. Patients might notice improvements in how they’re treated as more dentists receive this training over the coming years.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your experiences with healthcare providers: rate how respected and non-judgmental you felt during dental visits on a scale of 1-10, and note any comments or behaviors that felt biased or supportive. This helps identify providers who practice compassionate care.
  • Use the app to find and rate dental providers who demonstrate weight-inclusive, person-centered care. Share your experiences to help other patients locate respectful providers in your area.
  • Over time, track patterns in your dental care experiences. Note whether you feel more or less judged, whether providers ask about your health goals rather than appearance, and whether they offer evidence-based treatment recommendations. This long-term tracking helps identify trends in how you’re being treated and can guide your choice of future providers.

This research describes educational outcomes in dental students, not direct patient care results. The study measures self-reported attitudes, not actual clinical behavior. If you have concerns about how you’re being treated by a dental provider due to your weight, consider seeking care from another provider or discussing your concerns directly with your dentist. This research should not replace personalized medical advice from your healthcare provider. Always consult with qualified dental and medical professionals about your individual health needs.