Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of undiagnosed dysglycemia (including potential prediabetes and diabetes) and its associated risk factors in Thai dental patients and to determine the attitude of both patients and dentists toward chairside screening for diabetes mellitus in dental clinics. The first part of the study, two groups of dental patients who had not been informed that they have diabetes were recruited from the Special Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok and His Majesty the Kings Dental Service Unit. Dysglycemia was diagnosed when the HbA1c was ≥ 5.7%. HbA1c was assessed using a finger blood sample and analyzed with Point of Care Testing (PCOT) machine. It was found that among 724 participants recruited, the prevalence of dysglycemia was 33.8%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age group, family history of diabetes, high BMI, central obesity, severe periodontitis and very high level of Lactobacilli were significantly and positively associated with dysglycemia. The second part of the study, the anonymous, self- administered questionnaires of five-point response scale questions were distributed to adult patients attending dental clinics and dentists who were current in practicing in dental settings in Thailand. Overall, among 601 patients and 632 dentists participated in the study, the majority of respondents in both groups felt that it was important to have a dentist conduct a screening. Among the potential barrier specified, respondents from patient group felt that the most important barrier was confidentiality while the dentist group reported patients willingness. Less than half of dentists reported that they have readiness and knowledge to perform activities related to diabetes screening. In summary, the screening of undiagnosed diabetes should be performed in Thai dental settings because high prevalence of dysglycemia was found in this study and the majority of participants in both patient and dentist groups supported the screening of dysglycemia in dental settings.