Assessment of Oral Hygiene, Gingival, and Periodontal Health, and Teeth Eruption among Type 1 Diabetic Saudi Children

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the differences between type 1 diabetic children and healthy children regarding oral hygiene, gingival and periodontal health, and permanent teeth eruption. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted on 80 children (40 type 1 diabetic children and 40 healthy children) aged 6–12-year-old. The groups were further divided into subgroups (early and late mixed dentition). All study aspects were examined clinically using the simplified oral hygiene index, Löe and Silness gingival index, clinical attachment loss (CAL), and Logan and Kronfeld stages for tooth eruption. The data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression models. A p-value of ≤0.05 was the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between diabetic and healthy children regarding oral hygiene and gingival health. Most children had poor oral hygiene (52.5% in the case group and 60% in the control group), with fair gingival health (70% in the case group and 55% in the control group). Diabetic children had significantly (p = 0.05) more periodontitis than healthy children. Teeth in the advanced stage of the eruption were significantly higher in diabetic than control subjects (p = 0.048 in stage V and p = 0.003 in stage VI). Older diabetic children in late mixed dentition exhibited accelerated eruption. CONCLUSION: Periodontitis was significantly more common in diabetic than in healthy children. The advanced stage of the eruption was significantly higher in diabetic than in control subjects. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Type 1 diabetic children had more periodontal disease and advanced stage of permanent teeth eruption compared to healthy children. Therefore, periodic dental evaluation and a strong preventive plan for diabetic children is crucial. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Mandura RA, El Meligy OA, Attar MH, et al. Assessment of Oral Hygiene, Gingival, and Periodontal Health, and Teeth Eruption among Type 1 Diabetic Saudi Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(6):711-716.