When conducting the interview, the dentist needs to inquire about the patient’s medical history in detail. In doing so, he ensures a safe and effective treatment.
Diabetes is correlated with microangiopathy (a disease of very fine blood vessels), acid salivary ph, reduced flow rate.
It has been proven that diabetes is closely linked to oral health:
-It increases the risk of developing cavities (Acid salivary ph)
-It increases the risk and severity of periodontal disease
-It can result in salivary gland dysfunction, decreased salivary flow
-It can result in taste impairment
-It increases the risk of infections
The risk of complications increases if the diabetes is not well managed.
Patient care:
-Glycated hemoglobin test (HbA1c) must be requested. It is a test determining the average level of blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months.
It helps determine how well a person’s diabetes is being controlled.
-It is preferable to schedule the appointments in the morning.
-Make sure the patient has eaten.
-In the case of doubt about the course of action, consult the patient’s general practitioner.
-If the patient’s diabetes is well controlled, he is treated the same way as a healthy patient.
-If the patient’s diabetes is badly managed, he must consult his doctor to stabilize his disease before starting the dental treatment.
In case of an emergency, antibiotics are prescribed before the treatment to prevent the infection from spreading.
