Comparison of the oral health status of type-1 Diabetes Mellitus and healthy children: A comparative study

Abstract

Being a chronic systemic disease type-1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affect both physical health and oral health of an individual. As a dentist, a thorough comprehension of the pathology, clinical manifestations, and therapy of orofacial diseases in DM patients is necessary to provide the best care possible to the patients. Objective: The purpose of this study was to observe the impact of type-1 DM on dental health. Methods: A questionnaire-based study was conducted on 264 subjects (132 type-1 DM children, 132 healthy children) attending Children’s hospital PIMS, Islamabad. The oral health status of type-1 DM and healthy children was compared using WHO oral health assessment form for children and Fox’s questionnaire was used. Comparisons between the oral health status of type-1 DM children with healthy children was done by Mann-Whitney U test. A comparison of oral health status among Type-1 DM children based on glycemic control was done by one-way ANOVA test. Results: Females were in majority in both groups as compared to males. The frequency of oral diseases was more in type-1 DM children as compared to healthy children. A significant statistical difference p < 0.005 was found between the oral health status of both groups. Based on glycemic control among type-1 DM children, there was no significant statistical difference found for DMFT, halitosis, and xerostomia however, there was a significant statistical difference found for BOP and mucosal lesion. Conclusions: Type-1 DM children are more prone to developing oral diseases as compared to healthy children.