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Abstract

Background: Periodontal disease is a prevalent chronic inflammatory condition significantly influenced by systemic health, particularly diabetes mellitus. Diabetic individuals are known to experience more severe periodontal outcomes; however, the extent of this disparity among those receiving routine dental hygiene care remains underexplored.
Objective: To assess the differences in periodontal condition between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals undergoing regular dental hygiene procedures.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over four months in South Punjab, involving 220 participants divided equally into diabetic (n=110) and non-diabetic (n=110) groups. Inclusion criteria mandated biannual dental cleanings over the past year. Standardized clinical parameters including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) were recorded at six sites per tooth. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests for intergroup comparison, with p-values <0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Diabetic participants exhibited significantly higher mean values in all periodontal parameters: PI (1.89 ± 0.37 vs. 1.52 ± 0.32), GI (2.03 ± 0.41 vs. 1.65 ± 0.36), PPD (4.26 ± 0.58 mm vs. 3.76 ± 0.52 mm), and CAL (5.13 ± 0.61 mm vs. 4.48 ± 0.55 mm), all with p-values <0.001. These results indicate a clear disparity in periodontal health status despite comparable preventive dental care.
Conclusion: Diabetic patients demonstrated significantly poorer periodontal health outcomes compared to non-diabetics, even with regular dental hygiene procedures. These findings underscore the necessity for diabetes-specific periodontal care strategies and interprofessional management approaches to improve oral health in this vulnerable population.