Random plasma glucose values measured in community dental practices: findings from the Dental Practice-Based Research Network.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to examine feasibility of testing and frequency of abnormal plasma glucose among dental patients in The Dental Practice-Based Research Network.


METHODS
Eligible dental patients were ≥19 years old and had at least one American Diabetes Association-defined risk factor for diabetes mellitus or an existing diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes. Random (fasting not required) plasma glucose was measured in standardized fashion using a commercial glucometer. Readings <70 or >300 mg/dl triggered re-testing. Patients with glucose ≥126 mg/dl were referred for medical follow-up.


RESULTS
Of 498 subjects in 28 dental practices, 491 (98 %) consented and 418 (85.1 %) qualified for testing. Fifty-one patients (12.2 %) had diabetes; 24 (5.7 %) had pre-diabetes. Glucose ranged from 50 to 465 mg/dl. One hundred twenty-nine subjects (31 %) had readings outside the normal range; of these, 28 (6.7 %) had readings <80 mg/dl and 101 (24.2 %) had readings ≥126 mg/dl; in nine patients (seven with diabetes), glucose was >200 mg/dl.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant proportion of patients tested had abnormal blood glucose. Routine glucose testing in dental practice of populations at risk or diagnosed with diabetes may be beneficial and community dental practices hold promise as settings for diabetes and pre-diabetes screening and monitoring.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that implementation of glucose measurement in dental practice may provide important clinical and health information for both patients and practitioners.
Department of Dental Medicine, Winthrop University Hospital, 222 Station Plaza North, Mineola, NY 11501, USA. abarasch@winthrop.org
Andrei
A
Barasch
Gregg H
GH
Gilbert
Noel
N
Spurlock
Ellen
E
Funkhouser
Lise-Lotte
LL
Persson
Monika M
MM
Safford
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003149:Community Dentistry; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003752:Dental Health Services; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000097:blood; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose