article · International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health
Diabetes mellitus often leads to oral health complications, yet many affected individuals fail to seek timely dental care. A cross-sectional survey of 158 patients living with type 2 diabetes mellitus at a tertiary hospital in south west Nigeria investigated oral health awareness and care utilisation. Findings revealed that only 30.4% understood the link between diabetes and oral health, and only 28.5% recognised that poor blood sugar control worsens gum disease. Although 51.9% considered regular dental check-ups important, 82.9% had never been advised by their doctor to see a dentist. Consequently, care utilisation was poor: only 43% had visited a dentist since their diagnosis, and just 20.3% had attended a dental visit within the previous year. Addressing this gap requires closer collaboration between medical and dental professionals to enhance patient education and routine referrals.
Diabetes significantly raises the risk of severe dental problems such as gum disease, which can in turn complicate general health. When patients and their doctors overlook oral health, preventable complications worsen undetected. Identifying these communication gaps highlights an urgent need to link diabetes care directly with routine dental assessments to protect patient well-being.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway or commercial product, as it focuses on clinical survey data and healthcare professional collaboration.
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Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with a wide array of oral health complications with research revealing a high prevalence of oral health issues among diabetic individuals. This study evaluated the oral health-seeking behavior (OHSB) and awareness of oral complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among patients diagnosed with T2DM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 158 T2DM patients. Using interviewer-administered questionnaires, information was collected on participants’ awareness of the relationship between T2DM and oral health, their perceived importance of seeking dental care, and their dental visit history since diagnosis. Results: Only 30.4% of respondents were aware of a connection between T2DM and oral health, with 28.5% recognizing that poor glycemic control could exacerbate gum disease. Approximately half of the respondents (51.9%) understood the importance of regular dental check-ups for individuals with diabetes, while 41.1% were unaware of its significance. A large majority (82.9%) had never been informed by their physician about the need for regular dental check-ups. Dental visits were infrequent, with 43% having visited a dentist post-diagnosis and only 20.3% within the past year. Conclusions: T2DM patients demonstrate inadequate awareness of oral health complications and poor OHSB. Enhanced collaboration between physicians and dentists is necessary to improve referrals and oral health education, potentially mitigating oral complications in this vulnerable population.
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DOI: 10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253658
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