Abstract
Diabetes and periodontitis are common, chronic conditions that influence each other. Diabetes increases the risk, severity and progression of periodontitis, while periodontal inflammation is associated with poorer glycaemic control. With about 589 million adults living with diabetes worldwide, around 1 billion people affected by severe periodontal disease, and a large share of diabetes in the UAE still undiagnosed, dental teams are well placed to make a difference.
This lecture presents the two-way relationship as a practical clinical story. Participants will review how hyperglycaemia and chronic inflammation interact, then learn to recognise the oral signs, history findings and risk factors that raise suspicion of poor control or undiagnosed diabetes. The session covers risk assessment before treatment, safe planning around meals and medication, management of hypoglycaemia in the dental setting, and a staged approach to periodontal therapy, including when antibiotics are appropriate and what diabetes means for dental implants.
Clear guidance is given on when to refer to a periodontist, when to request physician assessment, and how to triage urgent problems. The lecture also examines effective daily plaque control, including the technique and evidence for powered brushing compared with manual brushing, and what this routine can and cannot be expected to achieve for gum health, diabetes and general health. A practical decision pathway helps participants apply the material in daily practice.
