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Oral self‐care among adults with diabetes in Finland
Author(s) -
Karikoski Aija,
IlanneParikka Pirjo,
Murtomaa Heikki
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
community dentistry and oral epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1600-0528
pISSN - 0301-5661
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0528.2002.300308.x
Subject(s) - medicine , interdental consonant , diabetes mellitus , family medicine , oral hygiene , quarter (canadian coin) , oral health , population , tooth brushing , gerontology , dentistry , environmental health , brush , archaeology , toothbrush , engineering , electrical engineering , history , endocrinology
Objectives: The importance of maintenance and promotion of periodontal health is emphasized among people with diabetes because of their high risk for periodontal diseases. Our aim was to evaluate oral health behavior and its determinants among adults with diabetes in Finland. Methods: The population of the questionnaire study consisted of 420 systematically selected adults with diabetes, who were members of a national diabetes register. The response rate was 80%. Questions focused on self‐treatment, ‐prevention, and ‐diagnosis of oral diseases, utilization of dental services, and knowledge and attitudes toward oral health among adult people with diabetes. Oral self‐care was evaluated in the framework of the New Century model of oral health promotion. Results: The proportion of edentulous subjects was 23%, and these were excluded from further analysis. Self‐reported twice‐a‐day brushing among dentate participants was significantly more common among women and the highly educated, but was less common compared with earlier studies among Finnish adults. A quarter of those surveyed reported never cleaning interdental surfaces, with the number of daily cleaners being nearly equal (27%). Age 40 years or over and recent treatment by a private dentist were significant predictors for daily interdental cleaning. The proportion of those who had attended a dental appointment within the last year was 63%, and the main reason for the last dental visit was an emergency among almost one‐fifth of those surveyed. Conclusions: A need exists for further promotion of oral self‐care among adults with diabetes. Support by dental and other health care professionals involved in diabetes care should be encouraged.