Periodontal Health Status of Aging Diabetes Patients in Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Health Center

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 132 elderly patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in Health Centers 54 and 59, Bangkok, Thailand from 25^th November to 11^th December 2013. The objective of this study was to explore the periodontal status in aging DM patients. The data was collected through oral examination by calibrated dentists to measure plaque index score, gingival index score, pocket depth, clinical attachment loss (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Face-to-face interview were conducted by trained interviewers using a structured questionnaire to characterize general characteristics and oral health behaviors. Blood samples for FPG, HbA1C, TG, HDL, and LDL were tested by nurse practitioners. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistic and t-test. All of aging DM patients in two Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) health centers had periodontitis. Most of them had moderate periodontitis (87.9%). The average score of pocket depth (SD) was 2.48 (0.72) mm. The average score of CAL (SD) was 3.51 (1.12) mm. The average score of BOP (SD) was 36.21 (23.85)%. The average FPG and HbA1c (SD) were 148.67 (45.88) mmol/l and 7.54 (1.34)%, 17.4% of the participant controlled glycemic level. The periodontal status in the uncontrolled glycemic group tended to be worse when compared with the controlled glycemic group with no significant differences. The present study confirms the need to increase oral health care and education in aging DM patients. Coordination between diabetic clinics and dental clinics would be useful in improving periodontal health in diabetes.