Introduction: people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of periodontal disease (POD), which gets complicated with diabetes. Good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups are recommended to prevent oral health problems, including POD. This study aimed to assess the oral health knowledge and practices of people with T2DM in three health facilities of the Dschang Health District (West Region, Cameroon). Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study over five months targeting people living with T2DM, followed up in three health facilities of the Dschang Health District, and who agreed to participate. Data were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire. The variables studied were sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, knowledge of the relationship between diabetes and POD, frequency of dental visits and oral hygiene practices. Knowledge and practices were considered good for a response score > 75% and poor for a score < 25%. Intermediate scores were considered average and insufficient. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed with a significance level (p <0.05). Results: we recruited 217 (115 women) participants living with T2DM. The median age of participants was 62 (55-68.5) years. More than half (57.6%) had poorly controlled T2DM. Overall, two-thirds (66.8%) of participants had insufficient knowledge, while 12.4% only had good knowledge. More than a third of participants (39.6%) had poor practices and only 13.8% had good practices. The factors associated with good knowledge were secondary education (ORa = 2.819; 95% CI 1.001-7.943; p=0.049) and retired status (ORa = 4.269; 95% CI 1.827-9.971; p=0.001). Having a well-controlled T2DM was associated with good practices (ORa = 2.284; 95% CI 1.032-5.055; p=0.042). Conclusion: most people living with T2DM have insufficient knowledge of oral health, poor oral health practices and fewer visits to the dentist. Secondary education and retired status were associated with good knowledge, while only well-controlled T2DM was associated with good practices. It is therefore vital to incorporate oral health education into their follow-up and education.
Ngako et al. (Wed,) studied this question.