Oral self-care practices and treatment seeking behavior in patients with diabetes at a tertiary care government hospital in Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: to determine the oral health practices in patients with DM and to identify their perspectives on treatment-seeking for oral health.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in the diabetes clinic of a government hospital in Delhi, India. Data was collected through face-face interviews with the patients.

RESULTS

We enrolled a total of 339 participants having a mean (SD) age of 46.1 (5.4) years. An optimal glycemic control was present in 109 (32.2%) participants. Self-reported poor or very poor condition of teeth and gums was reported by 161 (47.5%) and 69 (20.35%) participants, respectively. The awareness that DM worsens oral health was correctly reported by 15.2% participants. The prevalence of twice-daily brushing was 18.6%, and 15.6% participants underwent a dental examination in the previous 12 months.

CONCLUSION

There exists a high prevalence of poor oral care despite unsatisfactory oral health status among patients with DM in India.

SUMMARY: We recruited 339 patients with DM in Delhi, India. Twice-daily brushing was practiced by 18.6% participants. Self-reported poor or very poor condition of teeth and gums was reported by 47.5% and 20.3% participants, respectively. Patients avoided dental visits when asymptomatic, if not referred and due to fatalistic health beliefs.