Eating Disorder Secondary-Prevention Resource for Oral Health Care Professionals

Objectives:The oral-health providers' role in the screening of systemic health problems via oro-facial manifestations is well established. Given that they may be the first healthcare provider to assess the effects of disordered eating behaviors, dentists and dental hygienists are key health professionals in the secondary prevention of eating disorders, yet research indicates that the majority of providers are not engaged in assessment, referral, and case management of persons with eating disorders. The purpose of this innovative project is to increase the oral-health care providers' capacity to deliver eating disorder specific secondary prevention via an on-line theory-based resource kit.

Methods: Based upon a comprehensive needs assessment, a web-based resource kit was developed upon the constructs of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model, Diffusions of Innovations Theory, and Motivational Interviewing. Educational and skill-based components include: eating disorders (types, prevalence, persons at risk, secondary prevention); oral and physical manifestations; patient approach skill via brief motivational interviewing; patient approach videos; stage-based secondary prevention protocol; printer-friendly resources; and referral resources and links. The resource kit is currently under pilot test using a randomized pre-test post-test research design with control group among current members of the Virginia Dental Association and Virginia Dental Hygienists Association. Assessment items include changes in knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, skills, behaviors, and self-efficacy regarding secondary prevention of eating disorders. Post-test items also include assessment regarding diffusion of innovations.

Results:Preliminary evaluation data indicates positive practitioner feedback regarding the on-line resources.

Conclusions: This theory-driven web-based resource kit is a work in progress that links research to practice. Pilot-test data will provide evidence regarding the efficacy of web-based resources to guide practitioners in the secondary prevention of eating disorders. This work-in-progress was funded grant (1 R15 DE013963-01A1) by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.