Dental clinics as potent sources for screening undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes.

Introduction: This pilot study investigated the efficacy of dental clinics as potent sources for screening diabetes and prediabetes in undiagnosed individuals.

Methods: Data were randomly collected from 385 patients (aged 40 years and older) visiting dental clinics. Patients already having a diagnosis of diabetes and/or prediabetes were excluded. Demographic data, body mass index and family and dental histories were recorded. Signs and symptoms of diabetes were investigated. Random blood glucose levels (RBGLs) were recorded. Individuals with RBGL ≥110 mg/dL underwent the oral glucose tolerance test and the glycosylated hemoglobin test (HbA1c).

Results: Of the 385 patients, 60% (232) had RBGL <110 mg/dL, whereas 40% (153) had RBGL ≥110 mg/dL. Prevalence of confirmed diabetes and prediabetes among the study participants was 16.4% and 15.8%, respectively. Body mass index was significantly higher among patients with diabetes and prediabetes as compared with healthy controls. HbA1c level was statistically significantly higher among patients with diabetes than among patients with prediabetes. Symptoms of polyuria and polydipsia were significantly higher among patients with diabetes than in those without diabetes.

Conclusions: A high percentage of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and prediabetes among patients visiting dental clinics was found compared with that reported in the medical literature. Further studies with a lager sample size are needed to confirm these results.