Knowledge of Oral Manifestations of Diabetes among a Group of Health Care Professionals in a Tertiary Institution in Lagos

Abstract

Objective: Health care professionals interact with patients on a daily basis. Assessing and improving the knowledge of oral manifestations of diabetes mellitus among health care professionals is needed so that they can reliably educate patients on oral health issues. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of oral manifestations of diabetes mellitus among various health care professionals.

Methods: This was a questionnaire- based study. A total of 241 participants were selected for the study from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. Data on participants’ demographic characteristics, oral manifestations of diabetes mellitus  such as caries, xerostomia, gingivitis, periodontitis, periodontal abscess, halitosis, delayed wound healing and Fungal infection and prevention of diabetes were collected Results: The responses to the questions ranged from 57% to 98% among the health care professionals. The knowledge of oral manifestations of diabetes mellitus among health professionals was low, with 138 (57.3%)  for periodontitis and 140 (58.1%) for burning mouth  syndrome. There was a statistically significant  difference between the mean knowledge scores of  dentists, medical doctors, physiotherapists,  pharmacists. dieticians and nurses.

Conclusion: Knowledge of oral manifestations of  Diabetes Mellitus (DM) was limited in other health care  professional when compared to the dentist, medical  doctor and nurses. An inter-disciplinary approach and collaboration  beyond professional boundaries, must become the  standard of care for the management of the patients  with or at-risk for diabetes.