Delivery of Dietary Advice for Type 2 Diabetes in Dental Settings and Its Relevance to Dental Practitioners: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Diabetes and periodontal disease are inflammatory conditions where lifestyle interventions such as dietary messages could improve outcomes of both chronic conditions. Dental practitioners could support this behavioral intervention during periodontal treatment and maintenance in people with diabetes and periodontal diseases. However, studies that assess dietary interventions in type 2 diabetes patients within dental context setting are limited.

METHODS

This scoping review was completed based on the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. An initial comprehensive search on MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Scopus databases was conducted in May 2024, and again in June 2025. Only English language texts were considered for this review. The target question for the search on available literature was "What evidence is available on dietary counseling of type 2 diabetes patients in dental settings relevant to delivery by dental practitioners?"

RESULTS

Initial search resulted in 394 studies with seven studies eligible for inclusion in this scoping review retrieved. Two studies focused on dental treatment along with dietary advice, four studies developed and/or implemented diabetes-periodontitis educational programs, while one study explored the self-reported capabilities of a dental practitioner in delivering education, including dietary advice.

CONCLUSION

While all included studies acknowledged the opportunities for dietary advice in a dental setting, the lack of comparative studies and minimal evidence of delivery by dental practitioners limits the ability to draw strong conclusions. These findings underpin the need for designing a communication tool for dental practitioners in advising type 2 diabetes patients about dietary interventions.