Bariatric dentistry: implications for coordinated dental education and public health policy.

Bariatric dentistry is the branch of dental medicine, focused on preventive and comprehensive oral health care of overweight or obese patients. Obesity is an increasing U.S. and international health problem and is a condition characterized by abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the adipose tissue and is categorized by body mass index (BMI) according to the World Health Organization (WHO). With the increase of morbid obesity worldwide and the unfavorable effect on the overall health and life expectancy it is necessary proper accommodations to be made for accessible dental care of this vulnerable population of patients. The following case report details the emergency and the subsequent elective dental treatment of a patient with a morbid obesity and demonstrates the importance of necessary equipment, a multidisciplinary approach, and broad networking communication needed to treat bariatric patients. Our goal was through this case report to bring awareness and start professional discussions on the importance of all dentists in the community and dental academic programs working together to assure access for primary oral health for bariatric patients.