Oral Health and Patterns of Dental Visits Among Diabetic Patients in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic and Oral Health Information of Study Participants

Variables	Frequency (%) N= 486
Gender:
Male	322 (66.3)
Female	164 (33.7)
Age
Adults (22–64 years)	415 (85.4)
Older adults (≥ 65 years)	71 (14.6)
Nationality:
Saudi.	430 (88.5)
Non-Saudi	56 (11.5)
Level of education:
No education.	43 (8.8)
School education.	258 (53.1)
University or higher level.	185 (38.1)
Level of Income
Low: less than 5000 SAR/month	213 (43.8)
Middle: 5001–20,000 SAR/month	248 (51.0)
High: 20,000 SAR/month and above	25 (5.1)
Family history of Diabetes:
Yes	430 (88.5)
No	56 (11.5)
Diabetes duration
0–10 years	379 (78.0)
More than 10 years	107 (22.0)
Dental pain or discomfort during the past 12 months
Yes.	322 (66.3)
No.	121 (24.9)
I do not remember/know	43 (8.8)
Oral hygiene behaviors
Daily tooth brushing
Yes	299 (61.5)
No	187 (38.5)
Daily use of mouth wash
Yes	106 (21.8)
No	380 (78.2)
Daily use of dental floss
Yes	61 (12.6)
No	425 (87.4)
Willingness to receive oral health instructions
Yes	420 (86.4)
No	66 (13.6)

Figure 1 Distribution of participants’ responses about the self-perceived oral problems.

Table 2 Dental Attendance Patterns Among Study Participants

Variables	Frequency (%)
How long is it since you last saw a dentist?
≤ 1 year.	268 (55.1)
>1 year but < 2 years.	76 (15.6)
≥ 2 years but < 5 years.	91 (18.7)
≥ 5 years.	51 (10.5)
What was the reason of your last visit to the dentist?
Consultation/advice.	52 (10.7)
Pain or trouble with teeth, gums or mouth.	197 (40.5)
Treatment/ follow-up treatment.	127 (26.1)
Routine check-up/treatment.	38 (7.8)
Do not know/do not remember.	72 (14.8)
Reasons for not visiting the dentist
I do not have dental insurance.	111 (22.8)
I cannot afford to have dental treatment.	142 (29.2)
I do not have time to visit the dentist.	72 (14.8)
I have dental anxiety/ I am afraid of dental treatment.	73 (15.0)
I must travel a long distance to receive dental treatment.	2 (0.4)
It is difficult to get a dentist’s appointment.	145 (29.8)
I am not satisfied with the quality of oral care services.	29 (6.0)
I do not think oral care is important for good health.	26 (5.3)

Table 3 Association of Factors with the Last Dental Visit Due to Pain Among Study Participants

Variables	Unadjusted Odds Ratio (95% CI)	P-value	Adjusted Odds Ratio (95% CI)	P-value
Gender:
Male	1.10 (0.75, 1.61)	0.628	1.32 (0.86, 2.01)	0.201
Female
Age
Adults	1.21 (0.72, 2.04)	0.467	1.03 (0.58, 1.82)	0.924
Older adults
Nationality:
Saudi.	3.12(1.57, 6.20)	0.001	2.68 (1.29, 5.55)	0.008
Non-Saudi
Level of education
No/school education.	0.67 (0.46, 0.97)	0.036	0.71 (0.46, 1.10)	0.125
University or higher level.
Level of income
Low income	0.86 (0.60, 1.24)	0.419	0.99 (0.65, 1.50)	0.948
Middle/high income
Family history of Diabetes
Yes	2.12(1.28, 3.49)	0.003	1.88 (1.10, 3.22)	0.022
No
Diabetes duration
0–10 years	0.92 (0.60, 1.43)	0.717	1.28 (0.79, 2.05)	0.313
More than 10 years
Pain or discomfort during the past 12 months
Yes.	4.12 (2.65, 6.40)	<0.001	4.23 (2.67, 6.67)	<0.001
No.

Figure 2 Distribution of participants’ responses about sources of oral health instructions.