Method: A questionnaire was adapted and modified from available literature. The questionnaire was translated to Arabic and validated. It was distributed to a random sample from three main government institutes, tabulated and analyzed. Questionnaires were anonymous and voluntary and adhered to the Ethical Research conduct of the institute
Result: 28.9% of the sample was diabetic and 35.9% did not know what type of diabetes they had. Statistical significance was found in the knowledge and awareness of the relationship between stress and diabetes, diabetic control and oral health and that poor diabetic control may lead to tooth loss. However, there was general unawareness on the concept of glycemic index and diabetics felt that the outcome of their condition depended more on the treatment of their physician rather than their own personal control of the disease. When asked who explained the effects of the disease to them, 61.8% said “physician” and only 18.7% mentioned “dentist”.
Conclusion: Patients are seldom aware of the direct implication of stable glycemic control on oral health, and oral health care professionals don’t regularly educate their patients on this issue. Seeing that diabetes has a direct effect on oral health, it places emphasis on the role the dentist should play in the education of their patient on the oral effects and on how to better control the disease