Type 2 diabetes as a risk indicator for dental caries in Korean adults: the 2011-2012 Korea national health and nutrition examination survey

Prevalence of dental caries and associated factors of detention center inmates in South Korea compared with Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) respondents: a retrospective study

Background

Correctional institution inmates have reduced access to dental care; however, a quantitative assessment of their oral health condition has not yet been performed in South Korea. Therefore, this study aimed to assess dental caries and compare the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors between inmates and the general South Korean population.

Methods

The dental records of two detention centers in South Korea were retrospectively analyzed to assess the clinical oral health condition of inmates using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and self-reported questionnaire. These data were compared with similar data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) for the general South Korean population.

Results

In total, 642 inmates were analyzed and compared with 13,345 KNHANES participants in the KNHANES. The inmate and KNHANES groups demonstrated significant intergroup differences, with a higher prevalence of untreated caries, DMFT, decayed teeth (DT), and missing teeth (MT) values among the inmates. The prevalence of untreated caries decreased according to the history of dental pain in the inmate group but increased in the KNHANES group. The decrease in DMFT with a history of dental pain was significant only in the inmate group. Furthermore, self-rated oral health was significantly associated with prevalence of untreated caries, DMFT, DT, MT, and filled teeth (FT) in the inmate group but with prevalence of untreated caries, DMFT, DT, and MT in the KNHANES group. It was found that this is because there is an interaction effect by the group.

Conclusions

The oral health of the inmate group was significantly poorer than that of the general group. Since DMFT, DT, MT, and FT values and prevalence of untreated caries in the inmate group were significantly related to their self-rated oral health, suggesting that self-rated oral health should be incorporated into the dental health screenings of correctional institution inmates.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02405-w.

Diabetes status affects long-term changes in coronal caries - The SHIP Study

We estimated effects of diabetes mellitus and metabolic control on long-term change in coronal caries and restorative status using 11-year-follow-up data from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania. Data of 3731 participants with baseline and 5- and 11-year follow-up information were included. Diabetes was defined via self-reported physician´s diagnosis or intake of glucose-lowering drugs or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥6.5% or fasting blood glucose levels ≥11.1 mmol/l. The diabetes status was defined as no diabetes (HbA1c < 6.5% or non-fasting blood glucose <11.1 mmol/l), subjects with known or undetected diabetes mellitus and HbA1c ≤ 7% (well-controlled diabetes), and subjects with known or undetected diabetes mellitus and HbA1c > 7% (poorly-controlled diabetes). The caries status was clinically assessed using the half-mouth method and the Decayed Missing Filled Surfaces (DMFS) index and its component scores were determined. Covariate-adjusted linear mixed models were evaluated. Rates in change in DMFS were significantly higher in subjects with poorly-controlled diabetes compared to subjects without diabetes. Subjects with poorly- and well-controlled diabetes had significantly higher rates in change in Missing Surfaces (MS) compared to subjects without diabetes. For the DFS, rates in change were significantly lower for subjects with well-controlled diabetes and higher for subjects with poorly-controlled diabetes as compared to subjects without diabetes. Concordantly, all rates in change increased proportional to HbA1c levels. Effects were even more pronounced in subjects with diabetes duration of ≥5 years. Subjects with poorly-controlled diabetes are at higher risk for caries progression compared to subjects without diabetes, especially in case of longer disease duration.