Evaluation of oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices among diabetics in a Northern Union Territory of India

Background: Periodontal disease has been labeled as the “sixth” complication of diabetes. The two diseases have a bidirectional adverse relationship to each other. Diabetes can aggravate periodontitis, and periodontitis can negatively affect the glycemic control of diabetics. Oral hygiene awareness and treatment of periodontal diseases play an important part not only in prevention of many complications due to diabetes but also decrease the morbidity due to these manifestations. Aim: The goal of this cross-sectional study was to determine the actual awareness of diabetic patients about their oral health and the oral hygiene measures being practiced by them. Another aim was to evaluate their knowledge regarding the impact of oral health on glycemic control. It was also assessed whether there was any significant difference in the oral health awareness levels with their nondiabetic counterparts. Materials and Methods: One hundred diabetic and one hundred nondiabetic respondents filled up a validated questionnaire which comprised questions on personal data, oral hygiene knowledge, attitude, oral hygiene practices, and their knowledge regarding the correlation of oral health to adverse glycemic control and vice versa. Data were compiled and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The results indicate no statistically significant differences in the variables assessed in both the groups, indicating that no further knowledge had been imparted to the diabetics after they were detected with the disease. Seventy-three percent of nondiabetics and 76% of diabetics were unaware of the relationship between oral health and diabetes. Conclusion: The study concludes that both diabetics and nondiabetics lack awareness of the relationships between diabetes and oral health. To provide better oral health care, more knowledge needs to be made available to the diabetic patients and the medical community