Dentistry

Abstract

Frequency of Dental Caries and Level of Risk among Type II Diabetics

Maria Moin and Aeeza Malik

Objective: To identify the dental caries status and evaluate its risk among patients with type II diabetes mellitus (Type II DM).

Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out among 100 patients with type II DM, selected through consecutive sampling technique from Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Department of Endocrinology, Karachi. The data was collected from 30-70 years old type II DM patients during the month of September 2013. After taking the consent, the dental caries status was recorded by using Decayed, Missed, Filled, Teeth (DMFT) index and the level of caries risk by Caries Assessment Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) form. Oral examination was performed by a single trained examiner under daytime light using dental mirror and ball ended probe on mobile dental units.

Results: The mean DMFT score was found to be 4.9 (DT=2, MT=2, and FT= 0.09). The subjects at low risk were 11% whereas, 89% were at high level of risk for dental caries development. The mean duration of diabetes was 8.13 years and patients taking insulin were 28.3%, whereas, 54.7% were taking hypoglycemic tablets and 17% were taking both.

Conclusion: Within the limits of the present study, the results indicated that patients with type II DM have high rate of dental caries and at high risk of caries development.