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Integration of Oral Health Care and Mental Health Services: Dental Hygienists’ Readiness and Capacity for Secondary Prevention of Eating Disorders

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Abstract

Often the first to observe overt health effects of eating disorders, dentists and dental hygienists 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 that the majority do not currently engage in secondary prevention practices. Only 18% of respondents indicated referring patients exhibiting oral manifestations of eating disorders to treatment. Significantly increasing the likelihood of assessment, referral, and case management included modifying factors regarding greater perceived self-efficacy, and knowledge of oral cues of disordered eating, as well as the individual’s perception pertaining to severity of eating disorders. Implications for bridging dental care to mental health services include increasing behavioral capacity among dental hygienists via consciousness raising and improved self-efficacy.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a grant (1 R15 DE013963-01A1) from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Community and Environmental Health, Old Dominion University, 140c Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA

    Rita DiGioacchino DeBate PhD, MPH, CHES (Associate Professor)

Authors
  1. Rita DiGioacchino DeBate PhD, MPH, CHES
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  2. Stacey B. Plichta ScD
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  3. Lisa A. Tedesco PhD
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  4. Wendy E. Kerschbaum RDH, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rita DiGioacchino DeBate PhD, MPH, CHES.

Additional information

Stacey B. Plichta ScD, is an associate professor of School of Community and Environmental Health, Old Dominion University, 140c Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.

Lisa A. Tedesco PhD, is a vice president and secretary of The University of Michigan, 2014 Fleming Administration Building, 503 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340, USA.

Wendy E. Kerschbaum, RDH, MPH, is an associate professor and director of Dental Hygiene in the Department of Periodontics, Prevention, & Geriatrics, University of Michigan, School of Dentistry, 1011 N. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA.

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DeBate, R.D., Plichta, S.B., Tedesco, L.A. et al. Integration of Oral Health Care and Mental Health Services: Dental Hygienists’ Readiness and Capacity for Secondary Prevention of Eating Disorders. JBHSR 33, 113–125 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-005-9003-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-005-9003-1

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