39 - Role of Dental Visits in Diabetic Adult Population: An NHANES Study

Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the association of dental visits with glycohemoglobin (GHB) and serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels in the diabetic population using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data.

Methods: All participants, 30 years and older with self-report of diabetes from NHANES 2015-18 data were included. The outcome variables were GHB levels (categorized as controlled diabetes ≤7% and uncontrolled >7%) and CRP levels (low inflammation < 10 mg/L and high >10 mg/L) and independent variables were dental visits, and demographics. Multivariate logistic regression was used.

Results: Among 1,559 adults with diabetes, 43% did not have an annual dental visit and 39% had uncontrolled diabetes (>7% GHB levels). The unadjusted analysis found that those who had dental visits in the past year had significantly higher odds (41%) of having < 7% GHB levels (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.41, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.02-1.96) and 74% higher odds (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.05-2.87) of having a low CRP level compared to those with no dental visit in the past 12 months. Our adjusted analyses showed that people with a dental visit in the past year had higher odds of having < 7% GHB and lower CRP levels, but the differences were not significant.


Conclusions: In this study, an association was found between dental visits and biomarkers of diabetes as those with diabetes who visited a dentist in the past 12 months had lower GHB and CRP levels demonstrating controlled diabetes with lower inflammation. Regular dental visits are important for optimal wellness in the diabetic population.

Source of Funding: None