Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #100504

Rita DiGioacchino DeBate, PhD, MPH, CHES¹, Stacey B. Plichta, ScD², Lisa A. Tedesco, PhD³, and Wendy E. Kerschbaum, RDH, MPH³. (1) Community and Environmental Health, Old Dominion University, 104 C Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, 757-683-6180, rdebate@odu.edu, (2) College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 129 Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, (3) School of Dentistry, The University of Michigan, 2014 Fleming Administration Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340

Often the first to observe overt health effects of eating disorders, oral health practitioners play a fundamental role in the secondary-prevention of eating disorders. The purpose of this study was to explore readiness and capacity for integration of oral health and mental health services. Employing a randomized cross-sectional study based upon the Transtheoretical and Health Belief Models, data were collected from 378 dental hygienists. Results reveal a low state of readiness with the majority not currently engaged in eating disorder specific secondary-prevention practices. Fewer than 43% reported assessing dental patients for oro-dental manifestations of eating disorders. For patients who were suspected of engaging in disordered eating behaviors, only 44% of dental hygienists reported providing patient specific home dental care, and only 18% reported arranging a more frequent recall program for those with oral manifestations of disordered eating. Furthermore, only 18% of respondents indicated referring patients exhibiting oro-dental manifestations of eating disorders to treatment, and only 7% reported participating in case management. Significantly increasing the likelihood of assessment, referral, and case management included modifying factors regarding greater perceived self-efficacy of secondary prevention behaviors, and knowledge of oral cues of disordered eating, as well as the individual perception pertaining to severity of eating disorders. Implications for bridging dental care to mental health services include increasing behavioral capacity among dental practitioners via consciousness-raising concerning eating disorders and improved self-efficacy.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Recognize the crucial role of the dental practitioner in secondary prevention of eating disorders
• Discuss the mediating factors that influence dental hygienists particpation in identification and referral of patients with oral manifestations of eating disorders.
• Identify factors to increase the potential for the integration of oral health care and mental health services.

Keywords: Mental Health, Behavioral Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.