Periodontal status among patients with diabetes in Nuuk, Greenland

Abstract

Background

Diabetes is becoming more common in the Greenlandic population. Patients with diabetes are more prone to periodontal disease. Periodontal status may have an effect on metabolic control.

Objective

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of periodontitis amongst patients with diabetes in Nuuk, Greenland, and secondly, to observe if dental care was associated with improved periodontal status and metabolic control.

Study design

Observational cross-sectional study and a pilot study of a dental care intervention.

Methods

Sixty-two Greenlandic patients with diabetes were included in the study. Data were collected from the Electronic Medical Records (EMR), in addition to a telephone interview. Patients were offered 3 dental examinations with a 3-month interval. The dental examinations consisted of a full-mouth assessment of number of remaining teeth and assessment of periodontal status. Patients received scaling and root planing, together with information and instructions on oral hygiene. Information on glycated haemoglobin (HbA_1C) values was collected from the EMR at each dental examination.

Results

In this study, 21.0% (13/62) of patients with diabetes had periodontitis. About 42% had less than 20 teeth. The association between diabetes and periodontitis was known by 20 out of the 62 patients. Over half of the patients had been to a dental examination within the last year. The prevalence of periodontitis decreased significantly from 21.0 to 0% (p<0.001) after 3 dental examinations. No change in HbA_1C levels was observed (p=0.440).

Conclusion

Periodontitis was common among patients with diabetes in Nuuk. Dental health status based on Periodontal Screening Index (PSI) and bleeding on probing (BOP) seemed to improve after dental health care, indicating a need for increased awareness among patients and health care professionals. HbA_1C levels were not improved among the patients.

• diabetes
• periodontitis
• Greenland
• Inuit

Acknowledgements

The authors are very grateful for the opportunity to conduct the study and would like to thank the former Chief of Dental Health in Greenland, dentist Frank Senderovitz, and Chief Physician at Queen Ingrid Health Care Centre Jesper Olesen for their support of the study. Furthermore, the authors thank dentist Sabina Eugenius and Laura Lennert for crucial insights on the subject, dental consultant Aviaq Møller for skilful examination of all patients, employees in the lifestyle group, Anna Rask Lynge and Jytte Lindskov Jacobsen, for organizing and facilitating the study and conducting telephone interviews.

Conflict of interest and funding

The authors have no conflict of interest.