People with Diabetes Need to Pay Special Attention to Oral Health
By: Ferney-Voltaire, France| Articles
FDI and IDF address the increased risks of oral complications for those who suffer from diabetes. The FDI World Dental Federation and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) have joined forces to promote to health professionals and people with diabetes the importance of the association between gum disease and diabetes. During the 2007 FDI Annual World Dental Congress in Dubai, both organizations jointly convened a symposium on the topic that resulted in a Call to Action for dentists, physicians and their organizations.
The symposium, opened to all congress attendees, educated participants on the relationship between diabetes and gum disease. Special focus was given to the situation in the United Arab Emirates, where the prevalence of diabetes, according to IDF’s Diabetes Atlas, third edition, is second highest in the world.
“There is a strong relationship between oral health and diabetes,” said Massimo Massi-Benedetti of the IDF. “On one hand, people with diabetes are much more susceptible to developing periodontitis, or severe gum disease. On the other hand, emerging research suggests those with periodontitis may have difficulties in controlling their diabetes, because severe gum disease may impact the metabolic control and nutritional status of people with diabetes.”
“By educating both physicians and dentists about the relationship between oral health and diabetes, we can work to increase the quality of care for those who suffer from diabetes,” said Dr Burton Conrod, President of the FDI, on occasion of World Diabetes Day. “For people living with diabetes, it is important that they are aware of the increased risk factors for each of the different disease areas and take the preventative measures necessary to control these risks.”
In the Call to Action issued by the FDI and IDF, all stakeholders are urged to take these factors into consideration in developing integrated disease approach programmes to address diabetes and oral care. To further educate the public of the relationship that exists between the two diseases, scientific papers based on the discussions and outcome of the symposium will be printed in journals of both health organisations.
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