Perceived Stress, Positive Resources and Their Interactions as Possible Related Factors for Depressive Symptoms

Objective@#The present study aimed to explore how the patterns of interaction between stress and positive resources differ according to the severity of depression and which resources play the most important role among the various positive resources. @*Methods@#The study included 1,806 people who had visited a health screening center for a mental health check-up to evaluate the levels of perceived stress, positive resources, and depressive symptoms. The participants were divided into a depressive group (n=1,642, mean age 50.60, female 68%) and a non-depressive group (n=164, mean age 48.42, female 66.6%). We conducted hierarchical regression analyses and simple slope analyses to examine the interaction between perceived stress and positive resources. @*Results@#The interaction between perceived stress and optimism was significantly associated with depression in non-depressive groups. In depressive groups, the interactions between five types of positive resources (optimism, purpose in life, self-control, social support and care) and perceived stress were all significantly related to depression. @*Conclusion@#Interventions that promote optimism can be helpful for preventing inevitable stress from leading to depression. A deficiency in positive resources may be a factor in aggravating depression in stressful situations for people reporting moderate to severe depressive symptoms.

Attachment Style, Complicated Grief and Post-Traumatic Growth in Traumatic Loss: The Role of Intrusive and Deliberate Rumination

Objective@#The present study examines the effects of attachment styles on the grief response and the indirect effect of rumination in parents who lost a child in the Sewol Ferry accident. @*Methods@#Bereaved parents (n=81) completed self-report questionnaires evaluating their attachment style (Experience in Close Relationship-Short form), traumatic loss related rumination (Event-Related Rumination Inventory), degree of complicated grief (Inventory of Complicated Grief), and post-traumatic growth (Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory). Data were analyzed using correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and bootstrapping. @*Results@#The indirect effect of event-related intrusive rumination was significant in the relationship between attachment avoidance and complicated grief. The path from attachment avoidance to post-traumatic growth via deliberate rumination was not significant. With respect toattachment anxiety and post-traumatic growth, the indirect effect of deliberate rumination was significant. But the indirect effect of intrusive rumination was not significant in the relationships among attachment anxiety, complicated grief, and post-traumatic growth. @*Conclusion@#Individuals with attachment anxiety could obtain post-traumatic growth via deliberate rumination. By contrast, attachment avoidance was associated with the risk of maladaptive grief. Grief interventions should account for individual differences in attachment styles through interventions that manage intrusive rumination and strengthen deliberate rumination.

A survey of the domestic epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of pertussis

PURPOSE: This report describes the results of a survey of the characteristics of pertussis in children from a single institution and compares it to data from the Korea Centers of Disease Control (KCDC). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 17 and 6 patients diagnosed with pertussis and parapertussis, respectively, at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from January 2005 to January 2017. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients with pertussis, 9 were under 1 year of age (52.9%), 3 were aged between 1 and 10 years (17.6%), and 5 were over 10 years of age (29.4%). Seven patients (41.2%) had never received diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccines, of which 5 were infants below 2 months of age and 2 were 10 years old and lived in China. Four patients showed the initial symptoms of cough in China. The sources of infection were the parents (2 cases) and the siblings (8 cases). All patients showed prolonged severe cough and the average duration of cough was 26 days. Severe symptoms, including dyspnea, cyanosis, apnea, and seizures, were observed in the children under 2 months of age. According to the recent 10-year KCDC data, the highest rate of pertussis diagnosis was noted in infants (47.8%), followed by adolescents (18.7%). Six patients with parapertussis also presented with prolonged severe cough without any other severe symptoms. Lymphocytosis was not found, unlike the patients with pertussis. CONCLUSION: The possibility of pertussis and parapertussis should be considered among patients with prolonged severe cough, especially in infants and adolescents.

The Effect of Anti-glaucoma Eyedrops and 0.1% Fluorometholone on Myopic Regression after LASIK or LASEK

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of combined medical treatment with anti-glaucoma eyedrops and 0.1% fluorometholone on visual acuity and refractive errors in patients complaining of blurred vision due to myopic regression after laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK). METHODS: This study comprised 155 patients (155 eyes) who were diagnosed with myopic regression after LASIK or LASEK and received medical treatment from January 2015 to January 2016. The visual acuity and refractive errors were compared before and after medical treatment and evaluated to determine whether the results differ between LASIK and LASEK. RESULTS: The mean time of medical treatment was 64.1 ± 36.8 months after surgery. The responder group whose vision was improved and whose myopic error was decreased after medical treatment was comprised of 63 patients (41%). Their visual acuity in this group improved -0.21 ± 0.11 logMAR, and the amount of myopic error decreased 0.56 ± 0.32 diopters. The full responder group was 24 patients (15%), and the partial responder group was 39 patients (26%). The frequency of response to medical treatment was higher after LASIK than after LASEK, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The combined medical treatment with anti-glaucoma eyedrops and 0.1% fluorometholone was effective in 41% of patients with regard to visual acuity improvement when used for post-LASIK or post-LASEK myopic regression. The medical treatment was effective after both LASIK and LASEK.

A study on oral health-related quality of life following radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the change in oral health-related quality of life among patients with head & neck cancer who received radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 40 patients who were diagnosed as having head and neck cancer and scheduled to have radiotherapy were enrolled in this study; however, only 25 patients were included in the final analysis. Prior to radiotherapy, a dentist performed an oral examination to check for the presence of decayed and missing teeth, plaque, and determine the gingival index. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the OHIP-14 questionnaire. Eight weeks after starting radiotherapy, oral health-related quality of life was re-evaluated using the same questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 60.20 (±7.29) years, and 22 (88.8%) of them were men. The majority of the participants were diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma (68.0%). The total OHIP-14 score was significantly decreased from 56.20 (±13.50) at baseline to 45.72 (±10.98) eight weeks after radiotherapy. In addition, according to subjective oral health at baseline, the observed change in the OHIP-14 score was significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health-related quality of life was significantly lowered after radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

Comparison of Clinical Features between Noroviral and Rotaviral Gastroenteritis

OBJECTIVE: Rotavirus and norovirus are the most common pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis in children. As the incidence of noroviral gastroenteritis increases, it is becoming more important to identify the clinical features of noroviral infection. We compared the clinical features of noroviral gastroenteritis and rotaviral gastroenteritis. METHODS: This study included 79 children with noroviral and 151 children with rotaviral gastroenteritis, who were admitted to the Soonchunhyang University Gumi Hospital between January 2013 and December 2014. We reviewed their medical records and compared the clinical features of gastroenteritis between the two groups respectively. RESULTS: In those belonging to the norovirus group, the mean age was 29.65 months, which was younger than that of the rotavirus group, at 34.74 months. Patients suffering from noroviral gastroenteritis experienced more vomiting (5.6 episodes/day) than diarrhea (3.5 episodes/day). Vomiting, diarrhea, and fever were all less severe in those suffering from noroviral gastroenteritis. It is commonly noted that patients with noroviral infection have vomiting and diarrhea without fever (55.0%), while those with rotaviral infection present with vomiting, diarrhea, and fever (44.3%). CONCLUSION: Although noroviral gastroenteritis is less severe than rotaviral gastroenteritis, the incidence of noroviral infection is increasing, and the mean age group infected with this virus is getting younger; thus, noroviral infection must be considered in the differential diagnoses in young patients with gastroenteritis.

A Study on the Oral Health and Oral Health Related Quality of Life of Stroke Patients in a Rehabilitation Ward: A Pilot Study / 치위생과학회지

The aim of this study was to examine the geriatric status, oral health, and oral health related quality of life of stroke patients hospitalized at a rehabilitatio ward and assess the relationships among these factors. A total of 78 stroke patients participated in this cross-sectional study. The following oral examinations were performed by a dentist and dental hygienist: Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth, gingival, debris, calculus, and community periodontal index (CPI). The patients' sociodemographic and geriatric status were evaluated using the Barthel index and a mini-mental state examine (MMSE) according to their medical record and a questionnaire survey. Oral health related quality of life was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaire. Except for three participants, most stroke patients had a gingival index of 2 or more, which means probing results in bleeding gums. Additionally, 53.8% of participants had a CPI code of 3 or 4, which indicates a probing depth of 4 mm or more. CPI index was significantly related to debris, calculus, and gingival index. The OHIP-14 score significantly related to the Barthel index and MMSE (p<0.05). The oral health of stroke patients in the rehabilitation ward was relatively poor and related to poor oral hygiene. Oral health related quality of life was related not to oral health but to geriatric status significantly.

Associations between remaining teeth and salivary flow, activity of daily living, and cognitive impairment among the elderly in a rural area: A pilot study / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between oral health, activity of daily living, and cognitive impairment among elderly people who live at home in a rural area. METHODS: A total of 183 participants older than 70 years of age were recruited from a public health center in a rural Korean city. Trained examiners conducted questionnaire surveys and at-home oral exams to assess oral health, geriatric function, and cognitive impairment. Oral health was assessed by counting remaining teeth and examining salivary flow. Geriatric function and cognitive impairment were assessed using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS), and an activity of daily living (ADL) questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age (SD) of the participants was 83.77 (5.99) years and 68.9% of them were women. The participants who had a lower number of remaining teeth were significantly older, had severe cognitive impairment, and poor ADL and MNA results. The participants with severe cognitive impairment were significantly older and had fewer remaining teeth and low salivary flow. Simple linear regression analysis showed an association between remaining teeth and cognitive impairment with a P-value of 0.000, which disappeared after adjusting for sex and age or sex, age, denture use, and salivary flow, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Possible associations between remaining teeth and salivary flow, activity of daily living, and cognitive impairment were discovered among some elderly people living in a rural area.

Relationship between periodontal status and blood count and anemia in adults: Based on the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease fundamentally initiated by chronic bacterial infection. Just as the periodontal tissues mount an immune inflammatory response to bacteria and their products, systemic challenges owing to these inflammatory agents also induce a major vascular response. It is proposed that periodontitis also needs to be considered as a chronic disease that may decrease erythrocyte count and consequently lower hemoglobin concentration (Hb%). Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the correlation between anemia and blood cell count according to periodontal state. METHODS: Data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) were used to analyze the prevalence of anemia and blood cell counts according to the periodontal status. Complex logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship of anemia with periodontal status. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression using SPSS, and 95% confidence intervals were computed. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed for gingivitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.436 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.072-1.924]) but not for periodontitis (OR, 1.353 (95% CI, 0.947-1.934). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides further evidence that gingivitis has systemic effects and may cause anemia. However, periodontitis was not significantly associated with anemia. Further, there was no significant difference in periodontal status after adjustment for age, gender, and other factors.

Analysis of Postoperative Intraocular Pressure Underestimation Measured with Non Contact Tonometry after Corneal Refractive Surgery

PURPOSE: To analyze the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) underestimation measured with non-contact tonometry after corneal refractive surgery. METHODS: The postoperative IOP decrease measured with non-contact tonometry (NCT), regarded as IOP underestimation, was calculated in 253 LASIK patients and 281 LASEK patients. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the preoperative factors which affect postoperative IOP underestimation. The right eye results were reported in this paper. RESULTS: The postoperative IOP decrease was affected by age (r = -0.0420, p = 0.03), corneal ablation depth (r = 0.0466, p < 0.01), and operation method (LASIK or LASEK) (r = 0.6006, p < 0.01). For every 100 microm decrease of corneal thickness by LASIK, the IOP decreased 6.29 +/- 2.40 mm Hg in patients under 26 years of age and 6.12 +/- 2.53 mm Hg in patients above 26 years of age (p = 0.05). For every 100 microm decrease of corneal thickness by LASEK, the IOP decreased 5.77 +/- 2.37 mm Hg in patients under 26 years of age and 5.44 +/- 2.62 mm Hg in patients above 26 years of age (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative IOP underestimation measured with NCT was more prominent in younger-aged patients after LASIK than LASEK with deeper ablation depth.

Effect of an Oral Hygienic Care Program for Stroke Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

PURPOSE: The effects of an oral hygienic care program (OHCP) have been reported in several diseases. However, no study exists investigating the influence of an OHCP on stroke patients or patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been reported, thus we sought to investigate the potential effect of an OHCP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive stroke patients who were admitted to the ICU were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention (29 patients) and control groups (27 patients). The OHCP included tooth brushing with an inter-dental brush and tongue cleaner and cleaning with chlorhexidine was administered to patients by one dentist once per day during admission in the ICU (mean, 2.2 weeks). The plague index, gingival index, clinical attachment loss, and colonization degree of candida albicans were assessed. RESULTS: After OHCP, the plaque index, gingival index, and colonization degree of candida albicans in saliva showed a significant decrease in the intervention group compared to those of the control group (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Our OHCP was effective in improving the oral hygienic status and periodontal health of stroke patients during their stay in the ICU. Therefore, we recommend administration of the OHCP for stroke patients during their stay in the ICU.

The effect of oral care interventions on intensive care unit (ICU) patients with stroke / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral care interventions on stroke patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Oral hygiene levels, periodontal health, and presence of Candida were evaluated in patients who received an oral care intervention and control patients who did not receive the intervention. METHODS: In this study, 22 stroke patients who were admitted to the ICU between June 2011 and August 2012 underwent oral examinations and were provided with an oral care intervention that included tooth brushing with an interdental brush and the use of a chlorhexidine mouthwash (oral care group), while 21 patients who were admitted to the ICU during the same period did not receive the oral care intervention but underwent oral examination and served as controls (non-oral care group). In the oral care group, oral care was performed once a day for 1-5 weeks according to the general health of the patient. The patients in the oral care group underwent oral examination before and after the oral care intervention. Plaque index, gingival index, clinical attachment loss (CAL), and presence of Candida were evaluated in both the groups. RESULTS: The plaque index and gingival index of the oral care group were significantly lower than those of the non-oral care group; however, no significant difference in CAL was observed. The levels of Candida in the oral care group were lower than those in the non-oral care group. However, no significant intergroup difference was observed in the levels of Candida. CONCLUSIONS: Oral care interventions improved oral health, including oral hygiene and periodontal health, of stroke patients in the ICU. Therefore, this study showed that oral care interventions can be effectively used to improve the oral health of stroke patients in the ICU.

A Clinical Review of Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome for the Last 10 Years

OBJECTIVE: Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (4S) is not common, but has been increasingly recognized. We investigated the clinical features of 4S for the last 10 years. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on 68 children who were admitted with 4S during 2001 to 2011. The patients were divided into 3 age groups: or =48 months. We evaluated the clinical findings and the differences among the 3 age groups. RESULTS: The mean age was 32 months with a peak incidence at age 12 to 47 months. The peak incidence was observed in 2007 with a seasonal occurrence, mainly from July to October. Except 2007, there was no obvious seasonal pattern in incidence. Atopic dermatitis was combined in 10 patients (14.7%). By clinical types, 4 patients (5.9%) were in generalized type, 17 patients (25%) in intermediate type, and 47 patients (69.1%) in abortive type. The patients with generalized type were all neonates, and intermediate type was more frequent in children younger than 12 months. In contrast, abortive type was a most frequent form after 12 months of age. Of 44 patients performed skin culture, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 25 cases. All affected patients recovered completely with semi-synthetic penicillin or 3rd generation cephalosporins. Four neonates were treated with vancomycin or teicoplanin. CONCLUSION: The peak incidence of 4S was at age 12 to 47 months. The severity of 4S was most severe in children younger than 12 months, showing a difference in clinical types according to the age groups.

Mercury exposure from dental amalgam: a 6 month follow-up / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: Dental amalgam is a widely used filling material for oral cavity. The released mercury vapor from amalgam could have systemic adverse effects potentially. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between dental amalgam and urinary mercury levels in children during a 6-month timespan. METHODS: A total of 525 elementary school children participated in this study. Oral examination was carried out from one dentist. Urine samples collected at baseline and at 6 month were analyzed for mercury and creatinine excretion. Additionally, general characteristics of subjects were surveyed by a questionnaire. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: Greater amalgam surfaces were associated to higher urinary mercury levels; this tendency was similar at the 6-month observation after the correct baseline data. In the multivariable model, urinary mercury excretion was only associated with amalgam surfaces positively. CONCLUSIONS: Even a small amount of mercury uptake from dental amalgam has been associated to increase the mercury concentration of urine.

A Clinical Study of Child Abuse Present to In-hospital Child Abuse Center

OBJECTIVE: To promote awareness and efforts by in-hospital child abuse center to identity and prevent child abuse by investigation of victim and types of injury caused by child abuse. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed with 51 patients who had been diagnosed or suspected as child abuse at Shiny kid child abuse center in Soonchunhyang Gumi Hospital from January 2008 to December 2011. The medical records, radiologic documents, and social worker's notes were reviewed to investigate age, sex, type of abuse, perpetrator, type of injury, final diagnosis, and follow-up success rate. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 7 years old. Twenty-one patients were between 1 and 6 years old, 14 patients between 7 and 12 years old, 12 patients over 13 years old, and 4 cases less than 1 year old. The sex distribution was 47% (n=24) of male and 53% (n=27) of female. Thirty-five percentage of these patients reported with mixed abuse, 40% neglect, 29% physical abuse, 18% emotional abuse, 10.3% abandonment, and 2.5% sexual abuse, respectively. Twelve cases (23.5%) of them were found out the Routine health checkup. Bleeding and bruising (17.6%) were the second. Contusion and laceration were diagnosed in 9 cases, failure to thrive in 8 cases, tension headache in 5 cases, irritable bowel syndrome in 4 cases, sepsis of newborn in 4 cases, nephrotic syndrome in 3 cases, chronic otitis externa and media in 3 cases, mental retardation in 2 cases, congenital brain anomaly in 2 cases, major depression in 2 cases, pulmonary tuberculosis in 2 cases, diabetes mellitus in 1 case, and others in 6 cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: In-hospital child care team may experience the different proportion of abuse types and patterns by conducting a nation-wide survey of child abuse cases.

Effects of Oral Hygiene Improvement of the Elderly Patients by Caregiver's in Rural Long-term Care Hospital / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to be identify the effects oral hygiene improvement of the elderly by caregiver in a rural. METHODS: It recruited Fifty three elderly patients were recruited who admitted at a long-term hospital located in Mokchon city, Chungchungnam-do province. as the intervention group. Fifty two elderly patients group were selected another one long-term care hospital in Daegu city as control group. study was conducted for seven months. long-term care hospital. for seven months from Dec. 2007 to June 2008. For three months, the caregivers provide tooth brushing and cleaning artificial teeth once a day, to intervention group. once a day for three months. RESULTS: Before the program there was no significant difference between the control and the intervention groups in general characteristics, prevalence rates of diseases, oral sanitary condition. Dental plague score was decreased significantly (p<0.001) before and after intervention in the intervention group. Using analysis of covariance for evaluation of the effect of the intervention, a significant difference was observed between the intervention group and the control group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results were thought to be used as important basic data to develop oral health management program for elderly patients who needed long-term care.

Influence of Lifestyle-Related Diseases on the Oral Health of the Rural Elderly in Korea / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of four lifestyle-related diseases, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and hypercholesterolemia, on oral health in the rural elderly in Korea. METHODS: We enrolled 399 subjects over 60 years of age over a six year period, year 2000-2006/year 2001-2007. All subjects received a routine health examination as part of a program conducted by the National Health Insurance Corporation at Seongju-gun Public Health Center in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea. All subjects were surveyed and examined to determine their general and oral health statuses. RESULTS: Our results suggest that the duration of lifestyle-related diseases has a significant influence on oral health. The following factors were all significant in the results of analyses: duration of diabetes, tooth decay, which teeth had decayed, missing and filled teeth(DMFT), duration of hypertension, and duration of obesity and hypercholesterolemia(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and hypercholesterolemia have significant influences on oral health in the elderly. In this context, the prevention and management of lifestyle-related disease is critical for the maintenance and promotion of oral health.

The effect of growth hormone treatment on craniofacial growth in short stature children / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of growth hormone treatment (GHT) on craniofacial growth in children of short stature. METHODS: Nineteen untreated children of short stature were referred from the Pediatric Department, Yeungnam University Hospital as a subject group. All subjects had lateral cephalograms taken before, after 1 year and after 2 years of growth hormone treatment. As a reference group, we selected 19 normal children with paired sampling who matched the subjects' age and sex, from the Department of Orthodontics, Kyungpook National University Hospital. RESULTS: Before GHT, anterior cranial base length and upper posterior facial height, posterior total facial height, mandibular ramus length, and mandibular corpus length were significantly smaller in the reference group. In angular craniofacial measurements, saddle angle and mandibular plane angle were larger. SNA and SNB were smaller in the reference group. After two years of GHT, growth hormone accelerated growth in several craniofacial components. The posterior total facial height, the anterior, posterior cranial base length, and the mandibular ramus length were increased. And the difference in mandibular plane angle and ANB values compared with the reference group was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: GHT over 2 years leads to a craniofacial catch-up growth tendency, which is pronounced in interstitial cartilage and condylar cartilage.

A Case with Transient Hyperammonemia of Newborn

Hyperammonemia in the newborn often leads to severe fatal illness associated with hyperammonemic encephalopathy. Transient hyperammonemia in newborns (THAN) is characterized by self-limiting, transient hyperammonemia during the neonatal period. THAN may have favorable long-term outcomes if it is diagnosed early and appropriately managed. However, severe hyperammonemia can develop even in newborns with THAN, which may require emergent management. Here we report a case of THAN with severe hyperammonemia during the neonatal period that was successfully treated with continuous renal replacement therapy and nitrogen-scavenging medications. Our patient went on to develop normally and has not re-experienced a hyperammonemic episode until 9 months of age without the administration of a protein restricted diet or medications.

The Effect of Intensive Oral Hygiene Care on Gingivitis and Periodontal Destruction in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of oral hygiene care by oral professionals on periodontal health in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetic participants were recruited at a university hospital and matched at a 1:1 ratio by age and gender, and randomly allocated into intervention (40 people) and control groups (35 people). Tooth brushing instruction, oral health education, and supra-gingival scaling were implemented in all patients at baseline. This program was repeatedly conducted in intervention patients every month for 6 months, and twice at baseline and the sixth month in the control. Oral health was measured by decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), plaque index, calculus index, bleeding index, patient hygiene performance (PHP) index, tooth mobility, Russel's periodontal index, and community periodontal index (CPI). Diabetes-related factors, oral and general health behaviors, and sociodemographic factors were interviewed as other confounding factors. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used with SPSS for Windows 14.0. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the two groups in average of periodontal health (calculus index, bleeding index, Russel's periodontal index, CPI, and tooth mobility), diabetes-related factors (fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, and HbA1c), and in distribution of sociodemographic factors and health behaviors. In intervention group, plaque index, dental calculus index, bleeding index, and PHP index were reduced fairly and steadily from the baseline. There were significant differences in plaque index, dental calculus index, bleeding index, PHP index, and Russel's periodontal index between the two groups at sixth month after adjusted for baseline status. CONCLUSION: Intensive oral hygiene care can persistently improve oral inflammation status and could slow periodontal deterioration.