Progress noted on diabetes/oral health
Nine states and the District of Columbia already meet the goal or "increased significantly" from 1999-2004 the proportion of adults with diabetes receiving dental care, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported late last year.
A national health objective for 2010 aims for 71 percent of persons with diabetes having an annual dental examination. The CDC estimated the percentage of adults with one or more teeth 18 years and older with diabetes who visited a dentist within the last 12 months by analyzing data from 1999 and 2004 state-based telephone surveys.
Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah and Wisconsin exceeded 71 percent. Arizona, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio and Washington, D.C. made significant gains and North Carolina lost ground over the five-year period, said the CDC report.
"The findings underscore the need to increase awareness and support for oral health care among adults with diabetes, including support for national and state diabetes care management programs," the CDC said. The report called for increased partnering of health care organizations toward meeting the goal.
To learn more about diabetes and oral health, visit the American Dental Association Web site at "www.ada.org/public/topics/diabetes.asp".
Please contact the ADA if you have questions about this article.
©2010 American Dental Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction or republication is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission from the American Dental Association.
01/09/2006
