Abstract

NEGI, M; HOLMES, H  and  STEPHEN, LXG. Diabetic status of patients presenting for dental treatment. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2018, vol.73, n.4, pp.274-277. ISSN 0375-1562.

INTRODUCTION: Untreated Diabetes mellitus (DM) has severe long-term complications. In 2008, DM affected 4.6% of the South African population.¹ Glycemic status is an indicator of the blood glucose levels. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the glycemic status and presence of intra-oral soft tissue lesions in a sample of patients presenting at UWC Maxillofacial outpatient clinic. Design and Methods A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 400 adult patients, 18 years or older. Pregnant patients were excluded. Random blood glucose levels (RBG) were measured In mmol/L on samples of peripheral blood (finger prick) using a glucometer. RESULTS: Of the 400 patients, 51 (12,7%) were either known diabetic patients or newly diagnosed (prediabetic and diabetic) and 15 (29.4%) of these 51 patients were unaware of their status (undiagnosed). Of the diabetic patients (n=40), 17 (42.5%) had soft tissue lesions, which occurred in 137 of the 349 patients having normal blood glucose levels (39.2%). Oral candidiasis was seen in 25% (n=10) of diabetic patients, compared with the prevalence of 18.3% amongst those with normal blood glucose levels (n=64 out of 349). CONCLUSION: The study supports the need for general screening of all patients to facilitate early diagnosis of this disease.

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