KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND ATTITUDE OF DIABETIC PATIENTS TOWARDS THE ORAL FACETS ALLIED TO DIABETES MELLITUS: A SURVEY BASED STUDY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus has become a global epidemic, the complications of which have a signicant impact on the quality of life and longevity of the sufferers. Oral diseases associated with diabetes mellitus include salivary dysfunction, taste dysfunction, fungal infection, bacterial infections, poor oral wound healing, oral mucosal disease, and neuro-sensory oral disorder.Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, awarenesss and attitude of diabetic patients towards the oral facets allied to type II diabetes mellitus. METHODOLOGY: The cross-sectional questionnaire study was was administered to 100 type II diabetic patients of which 60 were males and 40 females from inpatient and outpatient department of General Medicine, Rajarjeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore. Clinical examination was done using The Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN index). RESULTS: Out of 100 subjects, 60 were males and 40 females. As per the data, only 4.4% were aware that poor oral health is associated with diabetes The knowledge about the extra care that diabetic patients should take with their oral hygiene was also not adequate. Clinical examination revealed a scoring of 3 and 4 indicating poor oral health.