The Relationship Between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease

There is good evidence to support the claim that periodontitis may be more prevalent among diabetic patients than nondiabetic people. Similarly, studies have shown that periodontal therapy influences glycemic control in people with diabetes mellitus. Given that nearly 10% of Canadians are affected by either type 1 or type 2 diabetes (including those in whom the disease is undiagnosed), all dentists will encounter patients with diabetes. Dental practitioners must be aware of the implications of this relationship and manage their patients' periodontal care accordingly.