Blood glucose screening in dental clinics as an opportunity for detection of diabetes and prediabetes: The Kyoutou Dental and Diabetes (KDD) Study

Aims/Introduction

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of positive blood glucose screening for diabetes or prediabetes among dental patients.

Materials and Methods

This prospective cohort study recruited 749 dental patients aged 18 years and older from October 1, 2023 to August 9, 2024. Patients undergoing treatment for diabetes were excluded. Blood glucose measurements were taken using fingerstick, with screening positivity defined as fasting blood glucose levels of 100 mg/dL or more or non-fasting blood glucose levels of 140 mg/dL or more. Positive individuals were referred to internal medicine clinics. The background and dental results of the positive and negative screening groups were compared, and multivariate logistic regression was performed.

Results

Participants' average age was 54.5 ± 16.2 years, with 369 men (49.2%) and 19 women (2.5%) with a history of diabetes. Blood glucose screening was positive in 139 individuals (18.6%). Among the 34 patients who visited the internal medicine clinics, eight were diagnosed with diabetes and 10 with prediabetes. Patients in the positive group were significantly older, included more men, had more individuals with a history of diabetes, and exhibited a higher bleeding on probing (BOP) rate and alveolar bone loss (BL). The BOP rate and BL remained significant after adjustment.

Conclusions

Blood glucose measurements in dental clinics may provide a practical and valuable opportunity for the early detection and intervention of diabetes and prediabetes.