| Summary: | Introduction. A number of oral disorders have been associated with diabetes mellitus (DM)
such as: periodontal diseases, dental caries, salivary dysfunction, oral mucosal diseases, oral
infections such as candidiasis, taste and other neurosensory disorders. Objectives. Advances in
under-standing the relationship between oral disease and systemic conditions need to be
translated into clinical practice. Dentist should be active in the involvement in-office
management of the patient with type 1 or type 2 DM. Patients with long-standing, poorly
controlled DM are at risk of developing oral candidiasis, and the evidence indicates that
periodontitis is a risk factor for poor glycemic control and the development of other clinical
complications of DM. Discussion. DM is a disease of which the general public and practicing
dentists should be aware. On the basis of the available data, we can conclude that practicing
dentists can have a significant, positive effect on the oral and general health of patients with DM.
Since higher population is thought to have DM, a greater role for the oral health care team in the
management of the care of patients with DM is both warranted and appropriate. Although many
aspects of this new component of dental practice need to be developed, it is an opportunity the
dental profession should embrace. Conclusion. Dentists need to be involved in the prevention
and management of DM to improve the treatment of oral disease. By actively intervening to
identify and monitor patients with DM, dentists have an opportunity to improve patients' oral
and systemic health.
|
|---|