Poor Oral Health Care Practices by Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Background: Sustained poor hyperglycemic control is devastating to oral mucosa that needs top-notch care of oral health. The study aimed to assess the strength of knowledge, attitude, and practices of oral health in diabetic patients, and its associated demographic factors.

Methods: This study was carried out on diabetic patients who came into the Endocrine OPD of Patel Hospital in Karachi. The study was conducted on 363 patients for more than a year. Genders with age greater than 18 years and had at least one natural tooth, were included. The study was analyzed by SPSS software version 21, applying the Mann-Whitney U Test and the Kruskal-Wallis test for categorical variables and mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practices.

Results: In our study, 64.2% were females with a median age of 56 years. The education level was 20.7%, 23.7%, 19.8%, and 37.5% tertiary, secondary, primary, and formal, respectively. The socioeconomic status was 21%, 57%, and 22%, were belonging to low, middle, and upper, respectively. The age of participants was found weak but positively correlated with knowledge (r= −0.108, p =0.040*) and negatively correlated with attitude (r= -0.004, p= 0.946. Employment status and anti-diabetic therapy had an insignificant association with knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding oral health in diabetic patients (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The diabetic patients had adequate knowledge regarding oral health but poor attitudes and practices. They are at risk of developing oral health complications; however, it is the responsibility of physicians and dental health professionals to counsel them.