[Inquiry into the oral follow-up of diabetic patients: knowledge and application of the recommendations of the Haute Autorité de Santé].

Abstract

In 1999, the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) issued recommendations on the follow-up in France of diabetic patients. It recommends at least an annual dental examination with special attention on the periodontal environment. The results of studies suggest that recommendations on the monitoring of oral diabetes are few or not implemented. In this work, we sought to evaluate the application of the recommendations of the HAS for patients with diabetes and in particular the recommendations on oral follow-up, from a cross-sectional survey using questionnaires to dentists (CD), general practitioners (MG) and diabetic patients in the region of Pays de la Loire. The results of this cross-sectional study shows that the requirements for monitoring oral health of these patients are poorly known and therefore far from being massively applied by health professionals. Our study revealed a lack of knowledge among health professionals, in monitoring oral diabetic patients. The causal association between diabetes and periodontal diseases are now well established; the dentist should be more involved in the medical team during the monitoring of diabetic patients. His role involves the prevention and care oral disease early. The patient information is the first step of prevention and care that it should be issued in any consultation with a dentist and relayed by the associations of diabetic's patients who should also be better informed.