Mundgesundheit und Zahnmanagement

Abstrakt

Diabetic patient's knowledge level on oral health and habits (questionnaire)

Serap Akyuz, Aysen Yarat, Hikmet Bayer, Ali Ipbuker

Objective. It is well known that oral health and general health are inseparable. Therefore the aim of
this study is to clarify what the diabetic patients know about diabetes as a disease and what they
know about its effects on oral health, and to assess their oral health behaviors, access to dental care
and need for improved health education.
Methods. 100 diabetic patients, aged 15-89 years, completed a questionnaire, which consisted of 20
questions regarding their oral health attitudes, behaviors and knowledge.
Results. It was found that 60% of diabetic patients had dry mouth complaint, 26% had teeth brushing
habit once a day and 13% had usually gum bleeding during brushing. In addition, patients
appeared to lack important knowledge about the oral health complications of their disease. But they
were eager to learn and get education about oral health and diabetes.
Conclusion. We believe that the oral health education of people with or without diabetes is very
important and necessary to reduce the risk of oral complications.