Risk of periodontitis & dental caries among 35 to 44 year old diabetic individuals: A case control study

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the age group of 35–44 years for surveillance of oral health conditions in adults. There is a growing incidence of early onset of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) worldwide. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to find the strength of association between dental caries and periodontitis in patients with T2DM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a case–control study conducted among 35–44-year-old patients with T2DM (n = 185) reporting to various hospitals of Belagavi city and controls (n = 185), who met the inclusion criteria. Group matching was done for age and gender. The study participants were interviewed for their sociodemographic details, relevant medical history, oral health behaviors, and dietary behaviors using a self-designed questionnaire. Dental caries and periodontal status were recorded using the WHO criteria, 2013. RESULTS: The mean decayed missing filled teeth was significantly higher among controls than cases (P = 0.006). A significantly higher number of cases had periodontal pockets (crude odds ratio: 6.6) as compared to controls. Regression analysis showed that loss of attachment was significantly associated with T2DM (adjusted odds ratio: 5.9, 95% confidence interval: 2.81–6.89). CONCLUSION: Periodontitis was found to be associated with T2DM. However, no such association was found between dental caries and T2DM.