The impact of sociodemographic determinants and diabetes type‐2 on oral health outcomes: An analytical cross‐sectional study

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesThis study compared adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and those without diabetes (ND) from East London in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, oral health behaviors, dietary practices, and alcohol and tobacco‐related habits.Materials and MethodsA total of 182 participants (n = 91 for each group) were recruited and requested to complete the validated questionnaire with 33 items.ResultsResults showed that the mean ± SD age was 61 ± 11.7 in the T2DM, while 51 ± 11.2 in the ND group. The mean ± SD age at T2DM diagnosis was 43 ± 10. There was a significant gender difference, with more males in the T2DM group (67.7%) and more females in the ND group (64.8%). Asian‐British (38.4%) were significantly high in the T2DM group when compared to other ethnicities. 92.3% of T2DM participants were significantly more likely to use medications in comparison to the ND group (29.7%). The T2DM participants' personal statements on general health were fair (34%) and good (46.2%) when compared with the ND group (15.4% and 59.3%, respectively). The majority of T2DM and ND participants (98%) lacked dental insurance. In the T2DM group, 31.8% were receiving benefits, and 39.5% were retired, while 46% of the ND group were full‐time employees. Tooth brushing twice a day was slightly less common in T2DM (68%) when compared to the ND group (78%). Nearly half of the participants in both groups failed to carry out interdental cleaning (T2DM = 52%; ND = 47%), and 38.5% of the T2DM group used mouthwash occasionally, while 30% of the ND group had it twice daily. There was a weak association between chewing paan and annual income in ND participants (r = .90, p = .49). There were significant differences in the presence of removable prostheses, juice, and sweetened juice consumptions between the two groups (p < .05).ConclusionWithin the confines of this study, being male, Asian British, retired due to disability, polypharmacy, and the presence of removable prostheses were all significant factors for T2DM.