The relationship between the dental caries and the blood glucose level among type II non insulin dependent diabetic patients

Background : diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases in the general population that effects the oral cavity so the probability of detecting an increase of dental caries in diabetic patients is more controversial. The aims of this study to compare the dental caries among the diabetic and non-diabetic patients and its relation with the blood glucose level, medical history and oral health behaviors among type II non-insulin dependent diabetic mellitus patients. Materials and methods : the samples were composed of 180 subjects of diabetic patients and 180 subjects of non-diabetes. Both gender and age range 40-70 years for both groups. The data were gathered by questionnaire, clinical examination and laboratory investigations included frequency of oral hygiene practices, caries experience using the DMFT Index, blood glucose including the fasting blood glucose level, and random blood glucose level. Independent t-test, Chi-square, correlation coefficient, as well as Z-proportion tests were used for statistical comparisons. Results : it indicated that there was no significant difference in DMFT between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups. In addition to blood glucose level was higher in diabetes than non-diabetes with increased dental caries with the increase of blood glucose level either random or fasting blood glucose level. Conclusion : this study indicated that the presence of dental caries is not significantly elevated in most diabetics but the blood glucose level and the age effect on the dental caries as well as diabetic subjects should improve their oral hygiene practices.