RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIABETES AWARENESS PROGRAMS AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE CONTROL IN COMMUNITY HEALTH SETTINGS

Background: The bidirectional association between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus is a great issue to
the general health of the population. Diabetes awareness programs based in the community can also impact
periodontal health outcomes but this relationship is not well reported.
Purpose: Present study evaluated association between attendance at diabetes awareness around community health
and periodontal disease management in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Techniques: A cross sectional study was carried out in four community health centers using 384 participants aged
between 35 and 70 years with type 2 diabetes. The participants were divided into two groups: those individuals
who attended the structured diabetes awareness program (n=192) and those individuals who only received the
standard care (n=192). Community Periodontal Index (CPI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment
loss (CAL) were used to measure periodontal status. Oral health behaviors, knowledge scores on diabetes and
glycemic control were recorded. Independent t-tests, chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used
as the statistical analyses.
Results: Awareness program participants showed much improved periodontal results, with the mean PPD of
3.2±1.1 mm vs 4.5±1.4 mm (p<0.001) and CAL of 2.8±1.3 mm vs 4.1±1.6 mm (p<0.001). The group had a superior
score of diabetes knowledge (72.4% vs. 54.2% p<0.001) and a superior level of control (HbA1c: 7.1% vs. 8.3%
p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that the participation in the program was independently related to a
controlled periodontal disease (OR=3.47, 95% CI: 2.18-5.52, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Prescription of diabetes awareness programs at a community level is closely linked with enhanced
management of periodontal diseases and, accordingly, the application of integrated educational, training, and
education interventions can be beneficial in improving metabolic and oral health outcomes.