A periodontal disease care program for patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Diabetes and periodontitis are interrelated, and patient education and guidance are important. Therefore, we conducted a periodontitis care program for patients with type 2 diabetes to provide education about diabetes and periodontitis and to promote self‐care skills, and we evaluated the effectiveness of this program. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial. Thirty‐eight and 39 adult patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were allocated to the intervention and control groups, respectively. The program comprised content that promoted optimal behavior for the improvement of diabetes and periodontitis. Periodontitis status, diabetes status, tumor necrosis factor‐α levels, self‐efficacy in relation to periodontitis, and teeth‐brushing behaviors were evaluated before and after the intervention program. RESULTS: After the intervention program, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in bleeding on probing, which was used to evaluate periodontitis status (F=7.919; P<.01), and in clinic visit (F=11.765; P<.01), brushing teeth (F=21.606; P<.01), and meal (F=10.884; P<.01) scores on the Self‐Efficacy Scale for Self‐care among Periodontal Disease Patients; patients in the intervention group also exhibited improvements in dental health‐related behaviors (F=7.141; P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the intervention program was effective at improving periodontitis, self‐efficacy in relation to periodontitis, and dental health‐related behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes.