Awareness about dental complications among diabetic patients in Madurai

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a growing public health concern. Preventive dental care is found to be associated with dental knowledge and hence a study was done to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices of diabetic patients attending outward patient in a government hospital in Madurai. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 308 diabetic patients attending the government hospital in Madurai. A pretested questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics was done to describe the frequency. Results: It was found from the study that effect of diabetes on oral health was known by about 52 (16.9%) study subjects. Out of 308 respondents, 266 (86.4%) brushed their teeth once daily and 42 (13.6%) brushed twice daily. Only 38 (12.3%) study participants said that they want to get education on oral health and diabetes. Conclusion: The level of awareness about oral complication in diabetic patients was found to be deficient. Most diabetic patients were not aware about various complications of diabetes and the effect of diabetes on the oral health. The attitude of the diabetic patients toward oral health was found to be deficient. The practice of the diabetic patients toward oral health was found to be good.