Oral Health Status and Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vollständiger Abstract

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Aim:This investigation evaluated clinical oral conditions and patient-reported oral outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and determined whether these outcomes are associated with glycemic control.Methods:This study was cross-sectional and included 305 adults diagnosed with T2DM. Clinical oral status was measured with the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT). In contrast, patient-reported oral health outcomes were evaluated with the structured self-reported oral health questionnaire and the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Glycemic control was represented by HbA1c values obtained from medical records. Group comparisons were performed using nonparametric tests, and correlations between HbA1c and oral measures were explored with Spearman analysis.Results:Median (range) scores were 5 (0–10) for OHAT, 3 (0–7) for the subjective oral health score, and 16 (0–40) for OHIP-14. Participants who reported consistent oral hygiene practices and recent dental visits demonstrated more favorable oral health outcomes and lower OHIP-14 scores (p < 0.05). HbA1c levels showed strong positive correlations with OHAT (r = 0.676), subjective oral health score (r = 0.658), and OHIP-14 scores (r = 0.752) (all p < 0.001).Conclusion:Among individuals with T2DM, poorer glycemic control was associated with worse oral health status and poorer OHRQoL. Incorporating simple oral health screening into routine diabetes follow-up may facilitate early identification of oral problems when a comprehensive dental assessment is not readily available.