Diabetes Mellitus & Dentistry

Conclusion

This is a dental public health disaster about to happen.

The bottom line is clear; control the plaque and control periodontal disease and reduce the effects of systemic diseases. Whilst daily plaque control must remain the responsibility of the patient, as dentists our responsibility is to show patients how to control their plaque effectively and to monitor and record progress (or regress) at regular intervals.

In summary we need:

  • Doctors and dentists to work together as never before.
  • An education campaign to encourage diabetics to attend for dental care.
  • Better dental record keeping and sharing this information with patients.
  • To develop ways to help patients control their plaque on a daily basis.
  • Better information about periodontal disease on the internet.
  • Publicity at national and local level.

References

The preparation of this article has required much research. Key references are shown below:

Turner CH. Implant maintenance.
The Dentist pp62, 2011.
Bulman JS et al. Demand and need for dental care: a sociodental study.
London, the Nuffield trust, 1962.
Williams, J. Diabetic periodontoclasia.
Amer. Dent. Assoc. 15: 523, 1928.
Matthews DC. The relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease.
Can. Dent. Assoc. 68:161, 2002.
Mealy BL. Periodontal disease and diabetes – a two way street.
Amer. Dent. Assoc. 137: 265, 2006.
Moore PA et al. Type I diabetes mellitus and oral health.
Periodont. 70: 409, 1999.
Steele JS. The dental status, needs and demands of the elderly in three communities.
PhD Thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1994.
Preshaw B et al. Periodontitis and diabetes – a two way relationship.
Diabetologia. 55: 21, 2012.
Salvi G et al. The association between diabetes and inflammatory periodontal disease.
Periodontol. 68: 127, 1997.
Southerland JH et al. Diabetes and periodontal infection – making the connection.
Clinical Diabetes 23: 171, 2005.
National Diabetic Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) website (US).
American Academy of Periodontology website, 2014.
Diabetes Now website, 2014.
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