ORAL HYGIENE PRACTICE AND ORAL MUCOSAL COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by abnormal secretion and metabolic action of insulin. It is obviously clear that the oral health and general health is inseparable. Therefore, the aim of this study is to clear up what the diabetic and non-diabetic patients know about diabetes as a disease, oral health behavior and effects of diabetes on oral and general health, and to assess their oral health behaviors, access to dental care and to educate for improved health. This study was performed on males and females of diabetic and non-diabetic patients who attended at private Dental Hospital for oral and dental treatments. The investigators asked the questions verbally in Urdu and filled out the form. The questionnaire included, dental, diabetic and oral hygiene items. A total of 210 (105 patients having the diabetes and 105 patients with non-diabetes) responded the questionnaire. The mean age of the sample was 47.48 (SD 6.96). The mean age of the diabetes patients was 46.8 (SD 7.05) and non-diabetes was 48.06 (SD 6.85). The age range of the sample was 29 to 65. There were 41% female and 59% male patients. The survey showed that in our environment the oral health awareness, practice and status of patients with diabetes was poor. Both diabetic and non-diabetic groups lacked in knowledge regarding oral health.