A Study to Evaluate Diabetic Patients' Knowledge of Periodontal Disease Prevention and Management in Specific Mysuru Areas

Abstract

Background: Every person’s well-being and quality of life are impacted by oral health, which is essential to general health. It has an impact on social relations and oral functions. One of the key issues with public health is diabetes mellitus (DM). There is a well-established link between diabetes and periodontitis, and both conditions can affect one another’s onset, course, and consequences. Diabetes raises the incidence, severity, and extent of periodontitis (i.e., the number of teeth impacted). These are mostly avoidable. Therefore, to create public health campaigns and motivate individuals to alter their lives, data on people’s knowledge and awareness of the connection between diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease might be gathered.

Objective: To evaluate diabetes patients’ understanding of periodontal disease prevention and treatment.

Methodology: Convenience sampling was used to choose 60 diabetic patients in Mysuru for this study, which used a descriptive research methodology. The tool and study methodology were deemed feasible after a pilot study was conducted. A systematic knowledge questionnaire was used to assess the participants’ understanding of managing and preventing periodontal disease. The tool was validated by experts, and its reliability was assessed using the split-half method. The data were gathered and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: According to the results of this study, 38 (63.33%) of the diabetic patients had average knowledge about the prevention and management of periodontal disease, 18 (30%) had poor knowledge, and the remaining 4 (6.66%) had good knowledge. This was determined by administering a structured knowledge questionnaire. Patients with diabetes scored between 5 and 21 on the knowledge scale for managing and preventing periodontal disease. The knowledge score was 14.11 on average, with a standard deviation of ±3.45 and a median of 14. Gender, educational attainment, occupation, income, family type, smoking habit, and information source were found to be significantly correlated.

Conclusion: Most diabetic patients had a mediocre understanding of periodontal disease, according to the study’s findings. Hence, it is recommended that structured educational programmes be organized to create awareness among diabetic patients and the public.