Diabetic management and oral health- a UK perspective?

Hello everyone,

I am from Australia and currently performing some enquiries about the management of diabetes and how oral health is advocated towards patients. Unfortunately, in some Australian communities the importance of maintaining overall health, including oral health is neglected for many reasons. My colleagues and I are aiming to implement some local initiatives to improve the situation and provide better care for diabetic patients.

I am highly interested in learning more about how diabetic patients are cared for in the UK, especially from a patient’s perspective. I am also particularly interested to know who provides the main source of information for newly diagnosed patients – be it a general practitioner, or perhaps another health professional?

Additionally, how often would the topic of attending regular dental appointments or maintaining personal oral hygiene be brought up throughout the treatment process?

Any feedback would help us greatly to gain a better understanding and hopefully direct our visions to some constructive actions.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

Thank you for replying to my post!

This is the same problem which we face in Australia. The research is out there linking diabetes with oral health conditions such as periodontitis (gum disease), however this information is not being conveyed to the patients.

As a dental hygienist I know the importance of regular dental check-ups for those with diabetes, as factors such as diet, oral hygiene and medications can intensify an individual’s oral health problems.

Nevertheless, there is this gap, where patients are not being regularly informed or supported to see a dentist, until there is a serious problem later down the track. Currently, only podiatrists, dieticians, occupational therapists and diabetes educators are the only health allies who are utilized by most doctors.

I can see this is going to be a long and ongoing push in terms of changing the medical perceptions to make not only oral health, but other health facets available to patients. I am glad hear that you are all at least aware of the dental implications with diabetes and use support sites like this one for your own guidance.

Our plans are inclined to helping our general practitioners with better information packages to give to newly diagnosed diabetics, as well as a ‘referral timeline’. As there are so many new life changes and health assessments involved once a patient has been diagnosed, perhaps a structured plan would benefit both the patient and medical practitioner.

You have all given me some very good food for thought, once again thank-you.

These are very interesting thoughts.

It seems like many of you find it hard to find a "NHS" dentist. I gather that these types of dentists provide cheaper or free services as they are subsidised by the government?

We have a similar system here, however dental care is not covered, so for most diabetics, they have to pay for their own dental expenses. This just opens a whole new can of worms in regards to the affordability of regular dental care and how much governments can contribute to cover the costs.

now remember to keep brushing!

Well our submission has been made! Fingers crossed that someone out there will like our proposal and potentially form some action on our recommendations.

I value all of the imput everyone has shared here. Although there seems to be "gaps" in the health systems, you all have an awareness of dental health, which is fantastic! The more promotion and education about this issue, the better.

Thanks for all your help!