Oral health and individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Limited evidence exists describing the impact to oral health when living with an eating disorder and the availability of information or access to oral health services. This study investigated the perceptions of individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder specificall...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Eating Disorders |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00841-9 |
| _version_ | 1797774406261407744 |
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| author | Tiffany Patterson-Norrie Lucie Ramjan Mariana S. Sousa Ajesh George |
| author_facet | Tiffany Patterson-Norrie Lucie Ramjan Mariana S. Sousa Ajesh George |
| author_sort | Tiffany Patterson-Norrie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Limited evidence exists describing the impact to oral health when living with an eating disorder and the availability of information or access to oral health services. This study investigated the perceptions of individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder specifically to understand their needs and recommendations for improving access to early intervention and oral health promotion. Methods Using purposive sampling a total of 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants across Australia who had a lived experience of an eating disorder. A hybrid inductive and deductive approach to thematic analysis was used to construct salient themes and subthemes. Results Most participants had experienced some oral health manifestation as part of their eating disorder hence, many felt quite knowledgeable on the topic. Following their eating disorder many participants felt confident in engaging with dental services, although, barriers including embarrassment, shame, and cost compromised access at times. Participants felt strongly that greater emphasis on oral health promotion during an eating disorder was important and this may be achieved by increasing the availability of resources and using trusted non-dental health professionals like dietitians. Conclusions The need for oral health promotion while experiencing an eating disorder was evident, however, dentists can often be a costly option. Non-dental health professionals like dietitians working with clients with an eating disorder may be an acceptable alternative for closing this gap. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:20:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-36d6ff5690a74712a624093a7b1b8e6d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-2974 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:20:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Eating Disorders |
| spelling | doaj.art-36d6ff5690a74712a624093a7b1b8e6d2023-07-23T11:03:36ZengBMCJournal of Eating Disorders2050-29742023-07-0111111210.1186/s40337-023-00841-9Oral health and individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder: a qualitative studyTiffany Patterson-Norrie0Lucie Ramjan1Mariana S. Sousa2Ajesh George3Australian Centre for Integration of Oral Health (ACIOH), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney UniversityAustralian Centre for Integration of Oral Health (ACIOH), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney UniversityAustralian Centre for Integration of Oral Health (ACIOH), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney UniversityAustralian Centre for Integration of Oral Health (ACIOH), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney UniversityAbstract Background Limited evidence exists describing the impact to oral health when living with an eating disorder and the availability of information or access to oral health services. This study investigated the perceptions of individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder specifically to understand their needs and recommendations for improving access to early intervention and oral health promotion. Methods Using purposive sampling a total of 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants across Australia who had a lived experience of an eating disorder. A hybrid inductive and deductive approach to thematic analysis was used to construct salient themes and subthemes. Results Most participants had experienced some oral health manifestation as part of their eating disorder hence, many felt quite knowledgeable on the topic. Following their eating disorder many participants felt confident in engaging with dental services, although, barriers including embarrassment, shame, and cost compromised access at times. Participants felt strongly that greater emphasis on oral health promotion during an eating disorder was important and this may be achieved by increasing the availability of resources and using trusted non-dental health professionals like dietitians. Conclusions The need for oral health promotion while experiencing an eating disorder was evident, however, dentists can often be a costly option. Non-dental health professionals like dietitians working with clients with an eating disorder may be an acceptable alternative for closing this gap.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00841-9Eating disorderLived experienceOral healthNon-dental health professionalDietitians |
| spellingShingle | Tiffany Patterson-Norrie Lucie Ramjan Mariana S. Sousa Ajesh George Oral health and individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder: a qualitative study Journal of Eating Disorders Eating disorder Lived experience Oral health Non-dental health professional Dietitians |
| title | Oral health and individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Oral health and individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Oral health and individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Oral health and individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Oral health and individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | oral health and individuals with a lived experience of an eating disorder a qualitative study |
| topic | Eating disorder Lived experience Oral health Non-dental health professional Dietitians |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00841-9 |
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