title: Development and evaluation of a web-based training program for oral health care providers on secondary prevention of eating disorders.
abstract: Although oral health care providers (OHP) are key in the secondary prevention of eating disorders (ED), the majority are not engaged in assessment, referral, and case management. This innovative pilot project developed and evaluated a web-based training program for dental and dental hygiene students and providers on the secondary prevention of ED. The intervention combined didactic and skill-based objectives to train OHP on ED and its oral health effects, OHP roles, skills in identifying the oral signs of ED, communication, treatment, and referral. Using a convenience sample of OHP (n=66), a pre-/post-test evaluated short-term outcomes and user satisfaction. Results revealed statistically significant improvements in self-efficacy (p<.001); knowledge of oral manifestations from restrictive behaviors (p<.001) and purging behaviors (p<.001); knowledge of oral treatment options (p<.001); and attitudes towards the secondary prevention of ED (p<.001). Most participants strongly agreed or agreed that the program provided more information (89 percent) and resources (89 percent) about the secondary prevention of ED than were currently available; 91 percent strongly agreed or agreed that they would access this program for information regarding the secondary prevention of ED. This pilot project provides unique training in the clinical evaluation, patient approach, referral, and oral treatment that takes a multidisciplinary approach to address ED.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, USA. rdebate@health.usf.edu
authors.forename: Rita D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Debate
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Severson
authors.forename: Marissa L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zwald
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koerber
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tomar
authors.forename: Kelli McCormack
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Tedesco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D004497:Education, Dental; D004521:Educational Measurement; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013335:Students, Dental; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*