Assessment of the Oral Health of Elderly Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a growing public health concern and a common chronic metabolic disease worldwide. Knowledge of oral comorbidity among people with diabetes is generally poor. Objective: This study aimed to identify the oral health status of diabetic patients in the Diabetic Center in Lattakia. Subjects: A total of 300 elderly people in the Diabetic Center were interviewed individually using an Arabic Version of the Diabetes Oral Health Assessment Tool to assess oral health status.

Results: The mean age was (69 ± 11.25) years. Half of the patients had oral problems such as dry mouth, burning mouth, halitosis, swollen red-colored gingival, gingival bleeding during brushing, tooth mobility and tooth loss, taste dysfunction, and tongue lesions.

Conclusion: Half of patients had symptoms of periodontal disease.

Recommendations: In order to promote oral health and to reduce the risk of oral diseases, periodontal assessment is as important in diabetic patients and they should be made aware of their increased risk for periodontal disease.