Nutrition, Oral Health, and Occupational Well-Being in Dental Professionals: Challenges and Strategies for Health Promotion

Background: Nutrition plays a pivotal role in sustaining both general and oral health; however, dental professionals often neglect their own dietary habits due to demanding clinical schedules, occupational stress, and limited access to workplace health promotion initiatives. These factors contribute to irregular eating patterns, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, and poor hydration, ultimately affecting their oral and systemic well-being. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore the associations between dietary behaviors, work-related stress, and oral health outcomes among dental professionals. The databases PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched using MeSH terms and keywords such as Dentists, Oral Health, Diet, Nutrition Education, Work Environment, and Well-Being. Studies published in English between 2010 and 2024 were included. Screening, quality assessment, and data extraction were performed according to predefined inclusion criteria, and the results were narratively synthesized. Results: Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Evidence indicates that occupational demands, time constraints, and high stress levels promote unhealthy dietary behaviors among dentists. These behaviors are associated with higher risks of dental caries, periodontal disease, fatigue, and burnout. Conversely, structured wellness interventions, nutritional education during dental training, and supportive work environments were found to enhance both oral hygiene and systemic health, including improvements in BMI, metabolic status, and psychological well-being. Conclusions: Integrating nutrition literacy and lifestyle medicine principles into dental curricula and workplace policies can significantly improve the health and performance of dental professionals. Future interventional and longitudinal studies should focus on evaluating evidence-based strategies that promote sustainable dietary behaviors and resilience in dental teams.