RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Patients’ Understanding of the Relationship Between Their Diabetes and Periodontal Disease
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 1004
OP 1010
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2020.06.190454
VO 33
IS 6
A1 Oluwamurewa Oguntimein
A1 James Butler III
A1 Sharon Desmond
A1 Kerry M. Green
A1 Xin He
A1 Alice M. Horowitz
YR 2020
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/33/6/1004.abstract
AB Introduction: There is a paucity of research on awareness, education, and interventions that address increased risk of developing periodontal disease, the sixth complication of diabetes. Examining the knowledge of patients with diabetes and understanding of the bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes could inform future diabetes self-management care. We assessed the knowledge and understanding of the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease; examined gender, education, and income differences in this knowledge and understanding, as well as other differences in dental hygiene practices.Methods: A Web-based survey was conducted using a convenience sample of patients with diabetes.Results: A total of 927 patients with diabetes participated in the study. Gender and education were significantly associated with knowledge and understanding of the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease in patients with diabetes. After controlling for diabetes duration, dental insurance status, and other covariates, males had less knowledge and understanding of the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease compared with females (P < .0001). Those with higher education (P < .002) and those who received health care provider recommendations to obtain regular dental visits (P < .00001) had greater understanding of the association between diabetes and periodontal disease.Conclusions: This study highlights the need for 1) educating male and low-education patients with diabetes in particular about their increased risk of periodontal disease and the need for regular dental visits, and 2) health care providers and dental health providers to work together to address the needs of their diabetic patients.