Healthcare professionals don’t discuss link between diabetes and periodontal disease
Study highlights need to strengthen patient communication and improve referral pathways between medicine and dentistry
The majority of primary and secondary healthcare professionals do not not discuss the link between diabetes and periodontal disease with their diabetic patients, according to a study. The also tend not to refer patients with diabetes to a dentist or inform their dentist of the diagnosis.
The study set out to identify current practice, knowledge and beliefs of medical healthcare professionals working in Scotland, related to the link between periodontal disease and diabetes.
A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken in 2021 with endocrinology consultants and registrars, general practitioners, diabetes specialist nurses, practice nurses and healthcare assistants involved in the care of people with diabetes across the country.
Exploratory interviews were used to inform the development of an online self-report questionnaire. In total, 128 medical healthcare professionals completed the questionnaire. Quantitative data were subjected to frequency calculations. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.
The questionnaire revealed that most participants did not discuss the link with their diabetic patients with diabetes, did not refer patients with diabetes to a dentist or inform the dentist of the diagnosis.
Participants reported a lack of awareness of the link, insufficient time to discuss this with patients and unclear referral pathways.
The study’s authors said that it had highlighted the need to strengthen education and patient communication by raising awareness, developing resources and improving referral pathways between medicine and dentistry.
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