The journey to recovery: unmet dental care needs in individuals with eating disorders

J Eat Disord. 2025 Aug 25;13(1):188. doi: 10.1186/s40337-025-01376-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A well-established link exists between eating disorders and oral health issues such as dental erosion, caries, and tooth loss. However, little is known about how to best provide dental care for individuals with eating disorders. Therefore, current guidelines often suggest delaying dental treatment until after medical rehabilitation. This study aimed to explore the dental care experiences of patients with eating disorders, with the objective of finding ways to improve dental care and support for this patient group throughout the disease.

METHODS: Ten women (average age 36.7 years; SD ± 12.7; range 21-51), all recovered from an eating disorder (median duration of illness 12.5 years, range 4-25), participated in semi-structured interviews about their dental care experiences during and after their illness. Participants were purposefully sampled from a Swedish specialist dental clinic. Using inductive reflexive thematic analysis, the research team developed key themes to highlight important aspects of their narratives.

RESULTS: An overarching theme of unmet dental care needs marked the journey to recovery for the participants. Three major themes were constructed: (1) navigating uncharted territory, participants often felt isolated and lacked guidance from dental professionals on managing oral health during illness and recovery; (2) missed opportunities to build confidence and capability, dental care encounters frequently failed to address individual needs, with shame, cost, and limited support undermining confidence and self-efficacy; and (3) the importance of oral health in rebuilding hope and identity, restoring oral health was seen as vital to recovery, supporting self-esteem and a renewed sense of self.

CONCLUSION: The study revealed ongoing unmet needs in dental care for the individuals examined. Participants’ experiences revealed uncertainty, missed opportunities for empowerment, and the vital role of oral health in restoring hope and identity. Oral health professionals should offer compassionate, precise, and personalized support, integrating oral health into the broader recovery process to enhance confidence and overall well-being for patients with eating disorders.

PMID:40855455 | DOI:10.1186/s40337-025-01376-x