Dentistry and eating disorders: a comprehensive concept of health care

Dental care professionals have a key role in identifying anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, through an early identification of smooth erosion of the lingual surfaces of the upper teeth or perimylolysis as common effect of self – induced vomiting. Opening an effective dialogue from the beginning with the purpose of building a therapeutic alliance with patients suspected of having an eating disorder can be difficult – in particular when the patient is an adolescent and then dental professional must involve his/ her parents – but it is the first step in order to make an appropriate management and successive oral state monitoring, and to refer the patient to other healthcare professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists, nutritionists) for a definitive diagnosis and appropriate medical care with empowerment of the patients.