Association between Diabetes Mellitus and Oral Health Status in Japanese Adults

AIM: The objective of this study was to analyze the oral health among Japanese adults, with and without diabetes mellitus. METHODOLOGY: The subjects were 518 community residents aged 20 to 91 years in Japan, who participated in the “Akita health and nutrition survey” and the “Akita dental disease survey”, conducted in 2006. The surveys comprised a self-administered questionnaire, along with medical and dental examinations. RESULTS: Using the community periodontal index (CPI), the mean numbers of sextants presenting codes 0, 1 and 2 were significantly lower in diabetics than non-diabetics among the 59 years or younger age group. Although the mean numbers of sextants with codes 0, 1 and 2 among the 60 to 69 years age group were lower, and sextants with a code X among the 59 years or younger age group were higher in diabetics than non-diabetics, no statistically significant differences were detected. The tendency of lower mean numbers of natural teeth and functional tooth units in diabetics than non-diabetics was observed, however no differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The outcome of periodontal disease seemed to be influenced by the diabetic state to some degree, but a clear association between diabetes and oral health status was not found.