Diabetes mellitus: an updated overview of medical management and dental implications.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major worldwide public health concern. In the United States, 18.2 million people (approximately 6.3% of the population) currently suffer from DM; of those, nearly one-third are undiagnosed. The incidence of DM in the U.S. is expected to double by the year 2010 due to general aging among the population and the epidemic of obesity in the western world. Dental providers must be aware of the rapid changes concerning management of individuals with DM and must understand the significant impact DM has on dental treatment.