Eating disorders - knowledge, attitudes, management and clinical experience of Norwegian dentists

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge, attitudes and clinical experience with regard to patients with eating disorders (ED) among Norwegian dentists.MethodsIn 2010, a questionnaire was sent to all dentists in Norway (N = 4282) comprising 33 questions related to demographics of the participating dentists, their knowledge of ED (general and oral health aspects), clinical experience, attitudes and perceived management preferences.ResultsThe participation rate was 40 % (47 % women and 53 % men). Their knowledge about ED was often retrieved from common media sources and the greater part of the participants reported they had seen very few patients with ED during their professional career. Female dentists reported superior knowledge about ED compared to males, but the former experienced greater difficulties to inform about the condition. Referrals of the patient to other health facilities were significantly more common among female compared to male dentists. The majority of dentists (76 %) reported a need of more education related to ED management.ConclusionsThe Norwegian dentists in this study reported limited clinical experience and insufficient knowledge regarding ED. There is therefore a need to increase both undergraduate and continuing education in this field, which can improve preventive and management measures that a dentist can provide for ED patients.

Eating disorders: experiences of and attitudes toward oral health and oral health behavior

“…Moreover, dental fear is common in persons with EDs , a condition that further complicates interaction with the dentist. This is confirmed in the literature, where dentists express different levels of difficulty when communicating about EDs with patients who the dentist suspects of having an ED . On the other hand, the literature on how persons with EDs experience dental visits is, to our knowledge, very sparse.…”

Eating disorder risk behavior and dental implications among adolescents

“…The reasons for such a tendency vary but could include fear of losing the patient or insufficient confidence in their suspicion. Only a few dentists inform patients/parents about their suspicion of EDs, and dentists report insufficient knowledge about EDs …”

“…Furthermore, awareness of TE is still not well known by professionals and by the general population and dentists have minimal knowledge and experience in managing ED patients once, as stated before, they often prefer not to pursue any suspicion toward their patients. 8,11,30,39 The reasons for such a tendency vary but could include fear of losing the patient or insufficient confidence in their suspicion. Only a few dentists inform patients/ parents about their suspicion of EDs, and dentists report insufficient knowledge about EDs.…”

“…9,10 Despite the oral signs, dentists have little knowledge and experience in managing ED patients. 11 Dental personnel and even other health professionals often prefer not to pursue any suspicion they may have due to the fear of losing the patient or insufficient confidence in their suspicion. 11 Nonetheless, oral manifestations of EDs, including TE patterns, have been frequently reported.…”

“…11 Dental personnel and even other health professionals often prefer not to pursue any suspicion they may have due to the fear of losing the patient or insufficient confidence in their suspicion. 11 Nonetheless, oral manifestations of EDs, including TE patterns, have been frequently reported. 4,5,12,13 Even with the increasing prevalence of these disorders, only a few studies have been evaluating the association between individuals who have risk factors for EDs and related oral manifestations.…”