Diabetes, periodontitis, and cardiovascular disease: towards equity in diabetes care.

Type 2 diabetes and its associated cardiovascular risk is an escalating epidemic that represents a significant public health burden due to increased morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities. Poor glycaemic control exacerbates this burden by increasing retinal, renal, and cardiac damage and raising healthcare costs. This predicament underscores the urgent need for research into cost-effective approaches to preventing diabetes complications.