Periodontal status of type 2 diabetics compared with nondiabetics in north Jordan.

The periodontal status of 106 type 2 diabetic patients was assessed and compared with that of 106 age-matched nondiabetics. Patients older than 20 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited from the outpatient internal medicine clinics at the 2 main hospitals in Irbid governorate, Jordan. Periodontal disease was more severe in type 2 diabetic patients than in nondiabetics, as indicated by significantly mean higher gingival index, periodontal pocket depth, clinical attachment level and tooth mobility. There was no significant difference in the mean plaque index between diabetics and nondiabetics. The severity of periodontal disease was significantly higher in patients with diabetes > 5 years than those with duration < 5 years.