Comparative Assessment of Oral Health Risk Factors Related to Diabetes Type 2– an Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem and patients with diabetes are at risk of developing oral health complications. This study aimed to assess and compare the socio-demographic factors, and dietary and oral health behaviours among diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.
Methods: Ethical approval was obtained from the Office for Research Ethics Committees (08/H0702/54). In this study, a total of 182 participants either with diabetes type 2 (D) or non-diabetes (ND) (n=91 each group) were recruited and requested to complete a prior-validated questionnaire with 33-items related to socio-demographic factors, oral health and dietary habits. The descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were carried out using SPSS v.21. Chi-square test of proportion and associations were also performed at a 95% confidence interval (p<0.05).An analytical
Results: There were male (n=92) and female (n=89) participants. 38% of diabetes participants were British Asian while only 12% of non-diabetes are different ethnicity. Majority of these participants had no dental insurance (98%). 31.8% were on benefits and 39.5% of diabetics were retired whilst 46% of non-diabetes are working full-time. Juice consumption was avoided by 34% of participants with diabetes and 27% of non-diabetes. Daily snack consumption was similar between the groups (D=34%, ND= 40%). Toothbrushing twice a day was slightly less in participants with diabetes (68%) when compared to non-diabetes (78%). Half of the participants failed to carry out interdental cleaning (D=52% and ND=47%) and 38.5% of the diabetes group used mouthwash occasionally whilst 30% of non-diabetes had it twice a day. Regular annual dental check-ups were observed among diabetes participants (30%) when compared to non-diabetes (22%). Statistical analysis failed to show any association between oral health behaviours between the groups except the presence of dental fixed prosthesis showed statistical differences (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in juice and sweetened juice consumption between the groups (p<0.05).
Conclusions: In conclusion, factors related to socio-demographic and oral health behaviours were similar between diabetics and nondiabetics. However, diet habits and the presence of fixed prosthesis demonstrated significant differences between these groups.