Three cases illustrating the potential of dental treatment as a precipitant for weight loss leading to anorexia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
This is the first published report to illustrate the potential for dental treatment to precipitate weight loss leading to anorexia nervosa.


METHODS
Documentation of history and clinical findings on three adolescents referred to a specialist eating disorder service are presented.


RESULTS
These cases illustrate that dental treatment may be precipitants of weight loss leading to anorexia nervosa.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for increased awareness of this area amongst parents of children and adolescents vulnerable to eating disorders and also their dentists.
Jaffa
Tony
T
The Phoenix Centre, Ida Darwin, Fulbourn, Cambridge, CB1 5EE, UK. tony.jaffa@cambsmh.nhs.uk
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D003729:Dental Care / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology