The importance of diabetes mellitus in dental practice

Abstract

This paper presents the basic characteristics of diabetes mellitus, a disease that affects about 10% of the population, with a tendency to further increase in frequency. There is a special focus on the oral manifestations of diabetes and the specifics of diabetic patients undergoing various dental procedures and interventions. In this context, hyper and hypoglycemic crises, which can quickly progress to coma, if not recognized and treated promptly, are especially apostrophized. With the goal of timely diagnosis, clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters of acute diabetic complications are presented, as well as risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of these complications. The recommendations of the American and European Diabetes Associations, as well as the Serbian National Guide for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes mellitus, are given regarding the necessary pre-procedural evaluation of these patients and the equipment of dental offices, to successfully prevent and treat acute complications of diabetes.