Oral health behavior and HbA1c in Indian adults with type 2 diabetes.

Prevention and treatment of oral diseases and diabetes require persistent daily self-care, as there is a mutual association between periodontitis severity and level of diabetes control. In this questionnaire study, we investigated oral health behavior, attitudes, and knowledge of diabetes-related factors among 500 Indian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The questionnaire asked about oral self-care, dental visits, self-perceived problems, and knowledge of the relationship between diabetes and oral health. The most recent glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value was obtained from patient medical records. Overall, 22% of participants reported twice-daily toothbrushing; women were more likely than men to brush twice daily (P< 0.001). With respect to age and diabetes control, participants aged 35-44 years with good diabetes control had the highest rate of twice-daily brushing (P< 0.001). Oral self-care and use of dental services were poor among participants. The present results indicate that Indians with type 2 diabetes need further promotion of oral self-care and regular dental checkups to compensate for their increased risk of oral disease.