Oral Health Knowledge and Behaviors among Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.
Early onset and more advanced periodontal disease has been reported for children with diabetes. We surveyed oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among adolescents with diabetes in order to inform potential intervention strategies. Study subjects were youth (ages 12-19 years) with type 1 diabetes (N = 90) participating in a cohort study investigating determinants of periodontal disease at a regional pediatric diabetes specialty clinic. Over 90% of the youth had been instructed on how to brush and floss and had preventive dental care in the past year. However, 44% knew that periodontal disease is associated with diabetes and 32% knew that it can start in childhood with bleeding gums. Despite being at high risk for developing periodontal disease, the mean toothbrushing frequency was once per day and 42% did not floss. Significant opportunity exists for improving periodontal disease knowledge and adoption of preventive oral hygiene behaviors in adolescents with diabetes.
Orlando
Valerie A
VA
Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Johnson
Lonnie R
LR
Wilson
Anne R
AR
Maahs
David M
DM
Wadwa
R Paul
RP
Bishop
Franziska K
FK
Dong
Fran
F
Morrato
Elaine H
EH