STATISTICS
- Two to four percent
(15 to 20 million persons) of the general
population in the US have diabetes mellitus.
This is a common, complex disease. There
are two types of diabetes: insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent
diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Although both
types appear to have a genetic component,
the genetic role in non-insulin-dependent
diabetes is much greater.
- A dental practice
serving an adult population of 2,000 can
expect to encounter 40-80 persons with
diabetes, about half of whom will be unaware
of their condition.
SYMPTOMS
The most marked oral complications seen
in uncontrolled diabetic patients include:
• periodontal
disease (which is more severe and has
a higher prevalence than that seen in
the non-diabetic),
• xerostomia,
• burning mouth syndrome,
• candidiasis,
• delayed and abnormal wound healing,
• increased propensity to infection,
• diminished salivary flow, and
• salivary gland
enlargement.
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