Status of Oral Health Screening of Diabetes Patients : A cross- sectional study

Abstract

Salma Akter and Mohammad Kamrul Alam

Background Oral complications are prevalent in diabetes and these complications have potential impact on patients’ overall health and well-being. The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of oral health screenings among patients with diabetes and its associated factors.

Methods A cross sectional study was conducted involving 106 patients. Data were collected with a pretested and structured questionnaire. Chi-square test was conducted to assess the association between outcome variables and selected covariates. At the same time, multivariate binary logistics regression model was used to determine the factors that are related to oral health screening status of diabetes patients. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 25 was used for data management, analysis.

Results Of the respondents, only 28.30 percent of the diabetes patients in the study had received an oral health screening. Participants having higher educational level were more likely to have oral health screening than those who cannot read and write (OR=1.733). Moreover, the odds of having an oral health check-up were less likely who had higher monthly income compared to those who had monthly salary less than 15000 taka (OR=0.163 and 0.115 respectively). The odds of people who brush their teeth two or more times a day were more likely to have oral screening against those who brush their teeth once a day (OR=0.202). Participants who knew diabetes affect the teeth were three times higher to have oral screening than their counterparts (OR=3.250) whereas those who knew oral check-up prevents tooth loss were more prone to go for oral screening than their counterparts.

Conclusion The findings of the study indicate that there is a need to improve the oral health screening status among diabetes patients in the country. The factors identified as associated with a higher frequency of oral health screening- higher educational level, lower monthly income, higher frequency of tooth brushing per day can help inform targeted interventions to improve screening rates. To improve oral health screening for diabetes patients, health education programs can be implemented to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of regular dental check-ups.

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