Diabetes: Dental Management and Links to Periodontal Disease, Updated Edition

Course overview

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic disease of metabolism, poses a significant public health challenge in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 34.2 million Americans, or approximately 10% of the U.S. population, live with diabetes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Of these people, 26.8 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, while 7.3 million remain undiagnosed (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020.). In addition, approximately 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed each year (American Diabetes Association, 2018). Diabetes is a leading cause of death and disability. The complications of diabetes include blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, strokes, kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage (International Diabetes Federation, 2020). Appropriate management of the patient with diabetes by the dental team requires an understanding of the patient's metabolic control, as well as the patient's potential for and limitations related to response to treatment with current therapy. The dental team plays a vital role in the overall health care of patients with diabetes through recognition and treatment of their oral needs, especially regarding tooth loss and related periodontal conditions. The purpose of this basic-level course is to equip dental professionals with the ability to recognize the classifications and classic signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus, to grasp the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes, and to identify periodontal and other oral manifestations associated with diabetes, including attachment loss, alveolar bone loss, gingivitis, xerostomia, and oral candidiasis. Moreover, this course discusses dental treatment considerations for patients with diabetes, adverse interactions between hypoglycemic medications and adjunct dental treatment medications, and emergency management procedures for patients with diabetes.