ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus with poor glycemic control is often associated with dental caries. We aim to assess the relationship between dental caries and HbA1c levels among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Chennai. A cutoff of HbA1c ?7.0 to 7.9% (53–63 mmol/mol) was used to define Group 1 (n = 113) as moderately controlled and HbA1c ?8.0% (64 mmol/mol) to define Group 2 (n = 228) as poorly controlled T2D. The absolute numbers of decayed, missing, and filled teeth were examined to calculate the decayed, missing and filled teeth index. Group 2 had a significantly higher percentage (48.2%) of decayed teeth when compared to Group 1 (28.3%). Group 2 had a 2.65 times higher risk of decayed teeth when adjusted for mean carbohydrate consumption, sweets consumption, oral hygiene, and brushing habit. T2D with higher HbA1c levels is associated with an increased number of decayed teeth. Hence, there is a need for monitoring dental status in T2D as earlier treatment may prevent or delay decay teeth.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: There have been numerous studies of oral health status of school children and young population; however, similar studies in elderly population in India are lacking. With advances in medical science and consequent increase in life expectancy, elderly population is on the rise and is a subject of growing concern for public health policy. Hence, an attempt was made to study factors influencing decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, oral health awareness, and dental treatment-seeking behavior of elderly population. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted between September 2014 and December 2014 in villages in rural Maharashtra. Sociodemographic and health-related information were collected from 352 participants 60 years of age and above in 10 villages. Results: Prevalence of dental caries was 76.4% in a study population with median DMFT score of 12 with interquartile range of 7–22. The majority of the participants cleaned their teeth with fingers using charcoal and mishri. Only 17.2% participants used toothbrush. About 39% participants had experienced dental pain, of which majority did not visit dentist. The median DMFT index who used toothbrush and toothpaste was significantly less when compared with participants who did not use tooth brush and tooth paste. The majority of the participants had one or more missing teeth, but only 2.2% were using dentures. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for comprehensive oral health educational programs, and accessible and affordable oral health services to be provided to rural community.