Diabetes and Oral Health (DIOH) : a mixed-methods study to inform oral health care for people living with diabetes

Abstract

The broad aim of this mixed-methods study was to explore oral health care practices and perceptions of both diabetes care providers and people with diabetes in Sydney, Australia to inform strategies for oral health promotion. The specific aims were to explore the current perceptions and practices of diabetes care providers (General Practitioners and Diabetes Educators) and patients with diabetes regarding oral health care. Similarly, patients' perceptions of diabetes care providers' capability to promote oral health care and their intention to participate in oral health promotion services provided by diabetes educators were also assessed. This thesis is presented as a series of five published papers. Two publications are presented as the literature review and the remaining 3 papers are from the qualitative and quantitative results. The study used a sequential exploratory mixed-methods research design. This study has provided valuable insight into this under-researched area of oral health care amongst people living with diabetes in Australia. It has shown that despite current evidence and recommendations, there is limited focus on oral health by diabetes care providers. Patients have unmet oral health needs, with their oral health problems impacting on their quality of life. Furthermore, many have poor oral health knowledge and are not receiving adequate oral health information from diabetes care providers. Patients are also experiencing significant barriers in terms of costs to access dental care. Diabetes care providers, especially diabetes educators are in a unique position to address these gaps and promote oral health, and patients are very receptive to this idea. However, several barriers exist for diabetes care providers to undertake this role, which include limited oral health education, lack of screening tools and promotional resources. The study findings support the need for strategies for oral health promotion that include the development of a Diabetes Oral Health Program to capacity-build diabetes care providers to motivate patients to engage in optimal oral hygiene behaviours and regular dental visits. The program should include an oral health professional development training program, a simple validated oral health screening tool, evidence-based patient resources and accessible dental referral pathways. Appropriate timing of education, screening and referrals will be key to the success of the program.

Date of Award	2021
Original language	English