Predisposing factors affecting oral health in diabetes mellitus patients

Resumen

Diabetes mellitus is presently considered one of the most frequent diseases, therefore, it is important to know the most relevant alterations in the mouth caused by it. Diabetic patients are subjects afflicted with general health changes, with early or late complications characteristic of their systemic circumstances. With respect to local behaviour of the disease, it is possible to encounter patients with poor oral hygiene, caries, periodontal disease, infections such as candidiasis, herpes and canker sores, tendency to postsurgical bleeding, and poor healing response among other infectious or inflammatory diseases. Therefore, changes in conventional dental therapy modes are needed, as well as study of restrictions and considerations of dental treatment of these patients due to their inherent complications. The aim of the present research project was to study every oral/dental complications with different signs and symptoms exhibited by diabetic patients, as well as to propose a manual of dental procedures to undertake treatment. Consultation methodology was implemented by means of a survey conducted on 100 patients from the Diabetics Club of the «Dr. Efrén Jurado López» Day Hospital (Social Security) and the number 10 Dispensary of the Public Health Ministry. Both institutions were located in Guayaquil. Participating subjects were presented with a questionnaire in order to determine the knowledge they possessed on repercussions the disease might exert on their oral health, within the frame of our basic health zone, as well as risks encountered when receiving dental care in a state of uncontrolled disease. Likewise, surveys will be used with dentists in order to ascertain whether they apply care protocol for diabetic patients, since they are considered high-risk patients. With expected results, a dental treatment manual will be designed in order to improve oral and dental treatment for diabetic patients and concomitant diseases, so as to improve patient’s quality of life.