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The effect of diabetes on oral and systemic health

14 mins read Oral health and mouth cancer
Diabetes is increasing, affecting millions of people in the UK alone. A significant number of patients attending the dental practice will have this condition, some as yet undiagnosed. Awareness of signs, symptoms and risk factors, including the impact on oral health, will help in the management of a

There are currently 3 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, while it is estimated a further 850 000 people remain undiagnosed. It is a condition to be treated seriously as, if it is left untreated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation.

Since 1996, diabetes has increased from 1.4 million people diagnosed and it is estimated that by 2025 that figure will be 5 million. Due to the ageing population and increasing numbers of overweight and obese people, it is thought that most of these will have type 2 diabetes (Diabetes UK, 2012). Diabetes can adversely affect our patients' oral health, so it is important for the dental team to be knowledgeable about this disease, its complications and be able to raise awareness of the risks.

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