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ARTICLE
Year : 2011  |  Volume : 9  |  Issue : 18  |  Page : 697-700

Knowledge and perception of oral health among diabetic patients


Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Public Health Dentistry, People's College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

Correspondence Address:
Sudhanshu Saxena
Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Public Health Dentistry, People's College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


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Background: Diabetes mellitus has been increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Despite the universal recognition of the dangers of diabetes mellitus, diabetic patients' awareness of and attitudes toward their heightened risk for oral diseases has not been fully addressed. Objectives: 1. To assess the knowledge and awareness of diabetic patients of their risk for systemic and oral diseases as complications associated with diabetes, 2. to assess their attitudes toward maintaining good oral health through proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. Materials and Methods: Seven hundred self-administered questionnaires were distributed among diabetic patients in a private hospital of Bhopal city (M.P.). The questionnaire contained questions related to participants' age and sex, tobacco use, prosthetic status, type and duration of diabetes, and their awareness for systemic and oral diseases as complications associated with diabetes, attitudes toward maintaining good oral health. Completed questionnaires were used in the current study for data analysis. Results: A majority of the participants had type 2 diabetes (63%). Diabetic patients had low awareness of their increased risk for oral diseases. Sixty seven percent of the participants brushed their teeth once daily and none of them had ever used dental floss. Conclusion: Diabetic patients have little knowledge of their increased risk for oral diseases. In order to promote oral health and to reduce the risk of oral diseases, there is a need to develop programs to educate the public about the oral manifestations and complications of diabetes.


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