Glycemic control among patients with physician-managed type 2 diabetes.

Outcomes for treatment, overall oral health status, and periodontal disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been associated with glycemic control as measured by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Due to the high prevalence of T2DM among patient populations in the United States, this study sought to assess baseline levels of glycemic control for patients with a known diagnosis of T2DM who were under the care of a physician and to identify management solutions for these patients. All patients included in this study were prescreened to ensure that they were dentate, had been diagnosed with T2DM at least 3 months previously, were under the care of a physician for diabetes management, and had no changes to their diabetes-related medications for 3 months or more (N = 822). The patients meeting those criteria were then screened in person, and those who had moderate to severe chronic periodontitis, had at least 20 teeth, and met other inclusion/exclusion criteria were qualified to participate in the study (N = 214). After the patients fasted, a whole blood sample was drawn and subjected to HbA1c testing. The mean (SD) HbA1c for the qualified patients was 7.76% (1.79%), and the values ranged from 5.1% to 18.8%. Among the 214 qualified individuals, 150 (70.1%) had HbA1c values greater than 6.5%. Of these 150 patients, 80 (53.3%, or 37.4% of the total screened sample) presented with HbA1c values greater than 8.0%. The majority of patients with periodontitis and physician-managed T2DM did not meet ideal standards for glycemic control. Dental healthcare providers should consider consultation and/or advanced screening for diabetic patients seeking dental care.

Decision Making in the Treatment of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontitis: Scientific Evidence and Clinical Experience.

Focused Clinical Question: What are the key considerations for coordination of care for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic periodontitis (CP), and what are the clinical implications of RA on periodontal health? Summary: Both RA and CP involve hyper-immune response and osseous destruction. However, despite emerging evidence that RA and CP may have common etiologies and patients with RA have increased risk of CP, periodontal evaluation and treatment remain largely similar for patients with and without RA. More fully assessing inflammatory burden in patients with RA and CP may allow practitioners to more accurately assess the risk profile of a patient for RA and periodontal disease progression and to better evaluate adequate end points to periodontal therapy. Furthermore, coordination of care for patients with RA and CP with their rheumatologist or treating physician could allow for advanced screening and prophylactic care that may prevent disease development or progression. Conclusion: For patients with RA and CP, evaluation of their rheumatoid disease activity score and periodontal inflamed surface area score, rather than traditional periodontal clinical measurements, along with additional biologic sampling methods may be appropriate measures to more accurately assess inflammatory burden in these susceptible patients.