Type 2 diabetes and risk for periodontal disease : a role for dental health awareness

BACKGROUND: Several studies have found correlations between diabetes and an increased prevalence of periodontitis. OBJECTIVE: To analyse, in a group of subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D), (i) the association between medical characteristics and severe periodontal disease and (ii) dental care habits and knowledge of oral health. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-one subjects with T2D were examined. Based on assessment of marginal bone height in panoramic radiographs, two periodontal subgroups were identified: one periodontally diseased (PD+) and one periodontally healthy (PD-) group. All subjects completed a questionnaire about their medical and oral health. RESULTS: Twenty per cent of the subjects were classified as PD+. This was verified by clinical parameters. PD+ individuals had higher haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (p=0.033) and higher prevalences of cardiovascular complications (p=0.012). They were also less likely to be of Scandinavian origin (p=0.028) and more likely to smoke (p<0.001) than the PD- group. The PD+ group rated their oral health as poor (p<0.0001) and believed that T2D had an influence on their oral status (p