A study of dental problems in diabetic patients

A survey was done in a sample of 105 patients, 45 females and 60 males, from October 1989 to January 1990, in the Diabetes Clinic of Mekane Hiwet Hospital, Asmara, Ethiopia. The objective was to assess the incidence of dental and periodontal problems among diabetic patients. Dental caries was found in 79%, with no significant relation to age of patient or duration of illness. Gingival recession was found in 70.5%, gingival inflammation in 65.7% and loss of attachment in 73.3%; none of them related to age of the patient or duration of diabetes. However, 63.5% of the gingival recession and 78.3% of the gingival inflammation was moderate to advanced, indicating the seriousness of the problem. Females had a significantly higher loss of teeth. These findings show a high incidence of dental and periodontal problems among diabetic patients (in comparison to other observations in Ethiopian non-diabetics), and is suggestive of the adverse influence of diabetes on dental health. Considering the seriousness of the problem, education on oral hygiene and dental care need to be strengthened for diabetic patients.