Guidance for Infant Feeding: Solving the Mystery of Food Allergy Prevention by Sara Karlin, DDS & Ellen Karlin, MMSc, RDN, LDN, FADA

As the prevalence of food allergy continues to rise, currently 32 million Americans have food allergies, with many at risk for anaphylaxis. Dental health care professionals must understand the environmental factors that have changed our commensal microbiota, driving this increase in food allergy. There is new guidance for infant feeding recommendations, based on randomized controlled trials regarding the prevention of food allergy. The USDA 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans include key messages that are relevant to the way in which we should be counseling dental patients regarding infant feeding as a way to prevent food allergy.

This change in guidance has created uncertainty, confusion and fear among patients with regards to how and when to introduce allergens into a baby’s diet. Pregnant women and families with young children need guidance to help them navigate through the oral health care challenges and barriers faced when introducing allergens early. This course will provide practical advice that you can share with your patients for food allergy prevention along with oral care, based on the newest consensus guidance from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; and the Canadian Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Guidelines will be provided on how to easily and safely treat these challenging dental patients, while making a positive change in their overall health and well-being.