Periodontal Disease and Diabetes: Addressing the "Sixth Complication" of Diabetes in State Diabetes Program

Objective: To discuss the sixth complication of diabetes and the role of the DPCPs in preventing  peridontal diseases in people with diabetes.

Methods:  A search of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation’s Management Information System (MIS) for the period  2000-2008  was completed  to ascertain  DPCPs activities  to address periodontal diseases. Seven DPCPs reported working to address periodontal diseases in persons with diabetes. The approaches used by DPCPs were reviewed and an impact and outcomes evaluation completed based on self- reported successes.

Results:DPCPs used several different approaches to address periodontal diseases in their respective programs.  Some DCPCs utilized NDEP’s PPOD publications to educate  health professionals. Other DPCPs used  approaches such as  media messages, community outreach efforts,  dental screenings and education, development of clinical standards, interdisciplinary sessions for dental students, and partnering with dental professionals in an attempt to improve dental care. Using a clinical information system known as the Patient Electronic Care System (PECS), one DPCP showed an increase from a baseline of 18.6% in 2003 to 28.2% in 2007 for people receiving dental care.

Conclusion:DPCPs can be great vehicles to translate science by moving the important findings about the connection between oral health and diabetes into the clinical setting. DPCPs have begun to work in the area of oral health, but more policy direction, resources, and outcome indicators will be needed to expand this work.  Addressing diabetes from a nontraditional setting such as a dental office could increase referrals to diabetes self-management programs, increase diagnosis of periodontal disease, and help control the sixth complication of diabetes.