PURPOSE: to know the orientations about mastication provided by students from Nutrition course to the patients submitted to a weight reduction diet and to check the masticatory standards of those who have received the orientations. METHODS: two methods were used, the first one: 30 forms were applied to the students of Nutrition course in order to know the orientations they provided to the patients; and, the second one: the protocol of evaluation mastication applied in the 30 patients who were under an alimentary diet. Data has been collected in three academic clinics of the metropolitan area of Vitoria, and were analyzed through the accurate Test of Fisher to a 5% significance level. RESULTS: among academics, 83.3% frequently carry through orientations on mastication, being 60% on speed/number of masticatory cycles. All cases are oriented by 63.3% of the students and 93.3% believe in the influence of the mastication in the weight reduction, and 73.3% think that it can be reached by all society. Considering the indication to the speech therapists, 96.7% said they never do that, in this group, 53.3% did not explain why they act so. Considering the patients, the adequate chew was verified, although 50.0% of them had bad dental conservation; 79.7% preferred unilateral mastication and 50.0% use bare hands to handle the meals. In all the cases the patients had received orientation at the beginning of the treatment, and only 46.7% really practice the guidance. No statistics association showed any significant value. CONCLUSION: the majority of the Nutrition students oriented their patients about the masticatory process. Considering the patients, they practice the correct masticatory process, although the majority uses bare hands to handle food and prefer one of the side of the mouth for mastication.
Mastication; Diet; Satiety Response; Myofunctional Therapy; Nutrition Therapy
