IADR Abstract Archives

Oral self-care, Practices and Attitudes of Diabetics in Singapore

It has been documented that diabetes is one of the risk factors in periodontal disease. With the high prevalence of diabetes in Singapore adults, there is no available data on the oral health behaviour of diabetics in the local context. Objectives: The aim of the study is to find out the oral health attitudes and practices of adult diabetics receiving medical treatment at a diabetic centre. Methods: A questionnaire survey together with clinical and laboratory parameters were conducted to profile the diabetic patients from a hospital-based Diabetic centre as part of a larger scale study. 112 adult diabetics age 21-65 responded to questionnaires relating to oral self-care, attitudes and practices (15 items) and diabetic conditions (12 items). Results: While the majority of the patients are compliant in their diabetic control, findings reveal that more than two thirds of diabetics, do not visit a dentist annually; a similar proportion do not know nor were they informed that they were at high risk for periodontal disease (p<0.05). Although most patients claim to be brushing regularly (99.1%), interdental cleaning was not practised by the marginal majority (50.5%). Only 9.3% of participants has acceptable level of knowledge on periodontal health (p<0.001) and ability to detect gum disease was also low at 25%. Conclusion: Preliminary study of diabetics attending treatment at a Diabetic centre showed that the majority of diabetics have low periodontal health awareness, infrequent dental visits and interdental cleaning behaviour. The findings highlight a need to promote oral health as part of the overall component of medical health care for patients with diabetes. This study was supported by NUS grant 222-000-017-112.


Division: Southeast Asian Division Meeting
Meeting: 2004 Southeast Asian Division Meeting (Koh Samui, Thailand)
Location: Koh Samui, Thailand
Year: 2004
Final Presentation ID: 15
Abstract Category|Abstract Category(s): Scientific Groups
Authors
  • Htoon, Hla Myint  ( National University of Singapore, Singapore, N/A, Singapore )
  • Lim, Lum Peng  ( National University of Singapore, Singapore, N/A, Singapore )
  • Sum, Chee Fang  ( Alexandra Hospital, Singapore, N/A, Singapore )
  • Tay, Fidelia  ( National University of Singapore, Singapore, N/A, Singapore )
  • SESSION INFORMATION
    Oral Session
    Behavioral Sciences/Health Services Research
    09/05/2004