The Relationship Between The Level of Dental and Oral Health Knowledge and The Health Status of Periodontal Tissue In Patients with Diabetes Mellitus At Bayung Lencir Hospital

Nella Kartimasarora; Rina Kurnianti; Rusmiati Rusmiati

doi:10.35910/icohpj.v5i0.1017

Nella Kartimasarora Departement of Dental Health, Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Jambi, Indonesia
Rina Kurnianti Departement of Dental Health, Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Jambi, Indonesia
Rusmiati Rusmiati Departement of Dental Health, Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Jambi, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35910/icohpj.v5i0.1017

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Periodontal disease, Oral health knowledge, Periodontal disease index, Ptient education

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis is one of the most serious oral complications in diabetes mellitus (DM). Adequate knowledge of dental and oral health may promote behaviours that protect periodontal tissue. This study examined whether the level of oral‑health knowledge is associated with periodontal‑tissue status among DM patients at Bayung Lencir Hospital.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2024. Using Slovin’s formula, 87 DM out‑patients were recruited by simple random sampling. Oral‑health knowledge was measured with a validated questionnaire and categorised as low, moderate, or high. Periodontal status was recorded with the Periodontal Disease Index (PDI) and classified as healthy, gingivitis, or periodontitis. Associations were tested with the chi-square test (α = 0.05).

Results: Most participants displayed a moderate level of oral‑health knowledge (59.8 %). Periodontal assessment showed that gingivitis predominated (64.4 %), while periodontitis and healthy gingivae accounted for 23.0 % and 12.6 %, respectively. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between knowledge level and periodontal status (χ² = 8.66, p = 0.013). Patients with higher knowledge scores were more likely to present with healthier periodontal tissue.

Conclusion: At Bayung Lencir Hospital, better dental‑oral health knowledge is linked to improved periodontal‑tissue status in DM patients. Enhancing patient education on oral hygiene and diabetes‑specific periodontal care could reduce periodontal complications in this high-risk group.