The Link Between Oral Health, General Health in Patients with Diabetes

A research team from the University of Amsterdam developed an intervention to offer primary care-based oral health information and dental referrals for patients with diabetes.¹

The study authors sought to analyze whether implementing an oral care protocol for general practitioners can improve patient-centered outcomes for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).²

A clustered, randomized controlled trial examined 764 patients from 24 primary care practices who received either oral health support or standard primary care. The main outcome parameter was oral health-related quality of life (QoL) that was assessed with the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile at baseline and again a year later. Other outcomes included self-reported oral health complaints and general health-related QoL.^1,2

The analysis showed that individuals who received a primary care-based oral health support intervention had a significant improvement in self-reported oral health quality of life compared with the control group. Among 764 patients with T2D, 71.1% completed the 1-year follow-up.

Further, more patients reported improved oral health-related QoL in the experimental group (35.2%) compared to the control group. The improvement of self-reported oral health complaints did not differ between groups.^1,2

The study authors concluded that the implementation of an oral care protocol in primary diabetes care improved oral health related QoL in patients with T2D.

“Patients with type 2 diabetes who attend primary diabetes care can benefit from extra attention to oral health," the researchers said in a press release. "It also further reflects the concept of oral health and general health being connected."^1,2

REFERENCES

1. Study examines connection between oral and general health in patients with diabetes. EurekAlert! Published May 11, 2021. Accessed May 17, 2021. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/aaof-sec051121.php
2. Verhulst MJL, Teeuw WJ, Gerdes VEA, Loos BG. Implementation of an Oral Care Protocol for Primary Diabetes Care: A Pilot Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. The Annals of Family Medicine May 2021, 19 (3) 197-206; DOI:10.1370/afm.2645.