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How to provide care for patients in eating disorder recovery

BDJ In Practice volume 36, pages 24–25 (2023)Cite this article

Whilst in recovery for an eating disorder, I constantly struggled with the conflicting advice of being told by my therapist that regular eating was important and my own thoughts from being a dental student regarding diet advice. I felt hypocritical eating so many times a day and challenging myself with fear foods, which were often high in sugar, whilst I was telling my patients that they should limit their sugar consumption and frequency. The UK eating disorder charity Beat estimates that 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder,1 so it's essential that we are able to recognise these patients and provide the support and encouragement theyneed to recover.

The term eating disorder encompasses a broad range of disorders and symptoms, but can be summarised as a mental health condition in which people use disordered and controlled eating to cope with difficult feelings or situations.2

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References

  1. Beat. How many people have an eating disorder in the UK? Available online at: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/how-many-people-eating-disorder-uk/ (accessed March 2023).

  2. Beat. Types of Eating Disorder. Available online at: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/ (accessed March 2023).

  3. WHO Guidelines Review Committee. Nutrition and Food Safety. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children. 2015. Available online at: www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789241549028 (accessed March 2023).

  4. L Lo Russo, G Campisi, O Di Fede, et al. Oral manifestations of eating disorders: a critical review. Oral Diseases 2008; 6: 479-484.

  5. Buzalaf M A R, Pessan J P, Honório H M, Cate J M ten. Mechanisms of Action of Fluoride for Caries Control. Fluoride Oral Environ 2011; 22: 97-114.

  6. NHS Health Scotland. Oral Health And Nutrition Guidance. 2012. Available online at: www.scottishdental.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/OralHealthAndNutritionGuidance.pdf (accessed March 2023).

  7. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, and NHS Improvement. Chapter 10: Healthier eating. 2014. Available online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention/chapter-10-healthier-eating (accessed March 2023).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Peninsula Dental School, Plymouth, United Kingdom

    Ellen Pritchard

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  1. Ellen Pritchard
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Correspondence to Ellen Pritchard.

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Pritchard, E. How to provide care for patients in eating disorder recovery. BDJ In Pract 36, 24–25 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-023-1939-4

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