Patients’ attitude toward diabetes mellitus screening in Thai dental clinics

Abstract

Purpose Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important health problem throughout the world. Association between DM and oral diseases has been reported and dental clinic is indicated to be one of the suitable venues for the screening of DM. The purpose of this paper is to determine patients’ attitude toward DM screening in dental clinics. Design/methodology/approach The anonymous, self-administered questionnaires of five-point response scale questions were distributed to convenience samples of adult patients (⩾25 years) attending one of the dental settings. These dental settings were divided into the university/hospital-based dental clinics (encompassing two university-based and five hospital-based dental clinics) or the private dental clinics (encompassing two private, and one special (after office hour) clinic of a faculty of dentistry). The questions could be categorized into three groups regarding importance, willingness, and agreement of DM screening in dental settings. Results are presented as percentage by respondents based upon the number of responses for each question. The favorable outcomes which were defined as responses of either scale of 4 or 5 were also summarized according to dental settings. The χ2 test for comparison was used to compare the favorable outcomes between the two settings. Findings A total of 601 completed questionnaires were collected; 394 from university/hospital-based dental clinics and 207 from two private clinics and a special (after office hour) clinic of a faculty of dentistry. Overall, the majority of respondents in both university/hospital-based and private practice settings felt that it is important to have a dentist conduct a screening (84.8 vs 79.5 percent). The majority of patients in both groups were willing to receive blood pressure examination (95.0 vs 92.0 percent), weight and height measurements (94.7 vs 94.0 percent), saliva/oral fluid investigation (86.4 and 86.9 percent) and finger-stick blood test (83.8 vs 83.9 percent). More than 75 percent of all respondents agreed with diabetes screening in dental clinics. Originality/value The majority of respondents supported the screening of DM in dental settings and they were willing to have a screening test by the dentist. Patient acceptance is an important key to be successful in the screening of DM in dental settings.

<p>Diabetes Related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice – A Survey Among Oral Health Professionals in Victoria, Australia</p>

“…A study conducted in Thailand identified 80-85% of the dental patients in university, hospital, and private clinics were willing to be screened for T2DM in the dental setting. 45 However, patient compliance for physician referral was identified a significant concern in a study conducted in the US 46 with only 21.5% of the dental patients from private dental clinics following up with their physician despite an HbA1c value of 5.7 or more and being informed prior of the possibility of being referred to the physician. The reasons for non-adherence are not clear but resistance to comply is a significant barrier and strategies to overcome this need to be explored.…”

Public Attitudes Toward Chairside Screening for Medical Conditions in Dental Settings

“…Several studies reported that most patients attending dental clinics thought that it is essential for dentists to screen patients for medical conditions and were very willing to be screened by a member of the dental team. 13 , 15 , 17 , 21 , 22 , 26 Patients’ willingness is essential for adopting such an approach. Implementing this strategy can assist in the early diagnosis and prevention of diseases and complications or delaying their occurrence.…”

“… 12 , 33 Furthermore, studies have found that most patients who were willing to be screened in the dental clinic perceived the importance of the screening and had awareness of medical conditions. 21 , 27 In addition, chronic diseases, although preventable, have an effect and a burden on the economy and quality of life. 34 Moreover, previous research has demonstrated that chairside screening can identify patients who are at increased risk of chronic disease yet are unaware of that increased risk.…”

“…34 Moreover, previous research has demonstrated that chairside screening can identify patients who are at increased risk of chronic disease yet are unaware of that increased risk. 7 , 21 …”

“… 20 Researchers have found positive patient attitudes and willingness toward chairside dental screening. 13 , 15 , 21–23 In a qualitative study, patients who underwent chairside screening requested regular screening in the dental clinic. 23 However, most of these studies investigated chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.…”