Eating Disorders: Understanding the Basics and the Oral Implications

Eating Disorders: Understanding the Basics and the Oral Implications is organized by The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA).

Accreditation:
CE Credits: 3

Original Release Date: 2013
Review Date: 2019
?Expiration Date: 2022

Course Description:
In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder or OSFED, other significant feeding or eating disorder.1 The disorder does not discriminate and affects men, women, and adolescents from all ethnicities world wide. The group most commonly affected is adolescent girls, but diagnoses are increasing in males and other age groups, most notably women in their fifth decade of life. Dental personnel are usually the first to notice changes in the oral cavity of individuals with certain types of eating disorders. The earlier treatment is sought in the disease process, the more hopeful the prognosis. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Unfortunately, between five percent and 20 percent of the individuals with long-term eating disorders will die as a result of the illness. 

Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, the dental professional should be able to:

• List the physical characteristics of anorexia nervosa.
• Recognize the clinical evidence of bulimia nervosa.
• Understand the etiology of the common eating disorders.
• Describe the differences and similarities between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
• Identify the medical consequences of anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
• Outline the treatment protocols for anorexia nervosa.
• Understand the differences between the three forms of bulimia nervosa.
• Recognize the potential medical complications of the binge eating disorder. 
• Summarize the signs of compulsive overeating disorder. 
• Define Unofficial Eating Disorder.
• Identify warning signs of anorexia athletica and describe common medical complications.
• Recognize the potential nutritional consequences in baryophobia.
• Identify the signs and symptoms of othorexia nervosa.
• Describe the etiology of pica and understand potential medical complications of the disorder.
• Recognize the various food behaviors in children.
• Define nutritional consequences with food avoidance emotional disorder.
• Recite the potential dental concerns with selective eating disorder.
• Explain how other food related disorders are similar to the most commonly diagnosed eating disorders – anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
• Name behaviors associated with body dismorphic disorder.
• Give examples of the various phobias related to food and eating.
• List symptoms of the night eating disorder.
• Describe pervasive refusal syndrome.
• Understand Prader-Willi syndrome.
• Prepare advice that can be offered to prevent eating disorders.
• Compare and contrast different methods in the delivery of fluoride.
• Outline tips on caring for the oral cavity for patients suspected of having an eating disorder.