Eating Disorders in the Adolescent Patient

Area of Science:

• Oral health and medicine
• Adolescent health
• Dietary disorders

Background:

• Eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, female athlete triad, obesity, binge eating) commonly emerge in adolescence, primarily affecting females but also occurring in males.
• Dentistry offers a unique position in managing these diet-related disorders due to frequent patient contact and potential for patient comfort in discussing sensitive issues.
• Intraoral manifestations and systemic effects of eating disorders necessitate dental awareness for early detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To equip dentists with knowledge regarding the etiology, diagnostic criteria, systemic effects, and intraoral manifestations of eating disorders in adolescents.
• To emphasize the pivotal role of dental professionals in identifying and referring adolescent patients with potential eating disorders.
• To provide guidance on integrating dental treatment for adolescent patients exhibiting signs of eating disorders.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on eating disorders and their dental implications.
• Synthesis of information on diagnostic criteria and intraoral manifestations.
• Discussion of the dentist's role in early identification and referral pathways.

Main Results:

• Adolescent eating disorders present with diverse systemic and specific intraoral signs.
• Dentists are often the first healthcare providers to observe these manifestations.
• Appropriate knowledge allows dentists to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention.

Conclusions:

• Dentists must be knowledgeable about eating disorders to recognize signs in adolescent patients.
• Early dental identification can lead to crucial referrals for medical and psychological treatment.
• Integrating dental care with medical management improves outcomes for adolescents with eating disorders.