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Willumsen T, Graugaard PK Eur J Oral Sci 2005; 113: 297–302

Anorexia, bulimia and binge eating are the commonest EDs in Western societies, and subjects often engage in denial of their condition. Dental erosion may be increased, but subjects are at higher risk of dental fear, which impedes dental attendance. In this study, 53% of 371 women identified from the main Norwegian ED self-help organization returned completed questionnaires. Half the group reported mixed EDs, 14% had anorexia, 10% had bulimia, and 27%, binge eating.

High dental fear was found in about 1/3 of the subjects, irrespective of ED, and very high dental fear in an additional 1/6. About ¾ had regular dental check-ups, and 88% had seen a dentist within the past 2 yrs. Self-induced vomiting was commonest in the bulimia and mixed ED groups (over 80%), compared with 39% for anorexia and 28% for binge eating. About 39% had told their dentist about their ED, with binge eaters least likely to do so. Dental fear had no effect on whether patients told their dentists. A large minority of patients reported negative experiences with the dentist, and the authors comment that dentists need to learn better communication with ED patients.