Visiting rate of dental clinic by the recommendation based on the periodontal screening tests for the patients with diabetes mellitus

Ayako Okada, DDS, PhD (1), Mitsutoshi Kato, MD, PhD (2), Noriko Kato, RD (2), Chiaki Nomura, DDS (3), Tomoyoshi Shirahashi, DDS, PhD (3), Mami Kotoh, DDS, PhD (4), Yoshihide Yabuki, DDS (4), Tomoaki Matsuyama, DDS (5), Hiroyuki Hanamura, DDS (5), Naoko Takase, MS (6), Kuninobu Yokota, MD, PhD (7), Yoshiaki Nomura, DDS, PhD (1), and Nobuhiro Hanada, DDS, PhD (1)

(1) Department of Translational Research, School of Dental Medicine, Tsurumi University, Yokohama, (2) Kato Clinic of Internal Medicine, Tokyo, (3) Katsushika-ku Dental Association, Tokyo, (4) Tokyo Minato-ku Shiba Dental Association, Tokyo, (5) Kawasaki-shi Dental Association, Kawasaki, (6) Oral Care Company, Sunstar Group, Osaka, and (7) Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan



Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the dental visit status of patients with diabetes mellitus who needed to treatment of periodontitis screened by immunological salivary hemoglobin detection test (Perioscreen Sunstar) in the medical and dental clinic cooperation at community base.
Materials and Methods: The study population was patient with diabetes mellitus undergone periodontal screening tests by a family doctor, who is diabetologist in the internal medicine. In total, 100 subjects were selected. The dental visit status of the diabetes mellitus patients with positive results was investigated according to correspondence between the medical and dental information including intraoral clinical examination: number of remaining teeth, maximum value of the periodontal pocket and percent of bleeding on probing, and type of periodontal treatment.
Results: Fifty-seven patients were positive for Perioscreen Sunstar. Among the patients with positive results, 32 patients (56.1%) visited one of three partnership dental offices and all received periodontal treatment. Twenty-six patients (45.6%) were finished their periodontal treatment within 6 months. For the patients who finished dental treatment, parameters of periodontal diseases were improved.
Conclusion: About 60% patients with diabetes mellitus who regularly attend the medical clinic were positive for periodontitis by Perioscreen Sunstar. Among them, about 60% patients attended for dental clinic by the recommendation by family doctor. These results may provide the basic information to medical and dental clinic cooperation and community medical care networks.
(Asian Pac J Dent 2018; 18: 1-5.)
Key Words: diabetes mellitus, periodontal screening test, periodontitis