Evaluation and Assessment of the Importance of Oral hygiene and knowledge about its association with Diabetes Mellitus: A questionnaire-based analytical plot study.

Abstract

Background - Diabetes is also a “silent epidemic” and is a public health problem that accounts for deaths in several countries. This Perspective summarizes the scientific evidence for the often two-way links between hyperglycemia, manifest diabetes mellitus (DM), and oral health. It delivers, in a nutshell, examples of current scientific evidence for the following. In 2019, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated that 4.2 million deaths among adults aged 20–79 were due to diabetes, which is 11.3% of all deaths globally. The prevention of diabetes is a significant challenge, as its prevalence and incidence are both increasing rapidly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), education and public awareness are the fundamentals of diabetes management. Since the severity of oral diseases is significantly higher in diabetic patients, that includes periodontal diseases, caries/periapical periodontitis, tooth loss, peri-implantitis, dry mouth (xerostomia/hyposalivation), dysbiosis in the oral microbiome, candidiasis, taste disturbances, burning mouth syndrome, cancer, traumatic ulcers, infections of oral wounds, delayed wound healing. This evaluation and study aim to highlight a better understanding of the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and oral health priority for glycemic control and the importance of awareness amongst diabetic patients’ oral health.
Aim - The objective of this study was to assess the awareness and practices related to oral hygiene among community members, including undergraduate students, workers, and teachers aged 18-24, at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, with a particular emphasis on oral health.
Materials and methods - A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 412 individuals, including undergraduate students, faculty, and staff members. A structured questionnaire of 10 questions was utilized to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning oral hygiene. The questionnaire was distributed to the participants via the Google Forms application.
Results - The study highlighted prevalent misconceptions and gaps in understanding related to periodontal health among the participants. Of particular concern is the intersection of diabetes and its effects on oral health. The presence of diabetes can exacerbate periodontal disease, reduce the ability to combat oral infections and impede proper wound healing. Thus, it is imperative to address these specificities within the context of oral health education to enhance both awareness and practical application of effective oral hygiene practices among students.
Conclusion - The findings emphasize the critical need for implementing targeted oral health education programs aimed at enhancing awareness and fostering healthy oral hygiene practices among the undergraduate students of Subharti Dental College, Meerut. Specifically, addressing these knowledge gaps and behavioral discrepancies is essential to potentially mitigating the burden of periodontal diseases, particularly within the context of diabetes. Diabetes significantly impacts oral health, exacerbating periodontal disease, increasing susceptibility to oral infections, and impairing wound healing. Therefore, focused educational interventions that elucidate the intricate relationship between diabetes and oral health are paramount. These initiatives can play a pivotal role in fostering improved oral health outcomes and overall well-being among students in this demographic.