[Psychological disorders in the oral health care practice. Feeding and eating disorders]

Feeding and eating disorders are characterised by a persistent disturbance of eating or eating-related behaviour that results in the altered consumption or absorption of food, which significantly impairs physical health or psychosocial functioning. These disorders usually develop during childhood and are characterised by high morbidity and mortality rates. The aberrant eating habits lead to under- or overweight and the compensatory behaviours such as vomiting, laxative abuse, and rumination, can greatly impact the overall physical condition and especially the dentition and the oral cavity. Because people suffering from these conditions are often inclined to conceal these, the dentist or dental hygienist can be the first one to raise questions about possible diagnoses of eating disorders.