Assessment of dental health knowledge and practices among diabetic patients at a public health hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Diabetes has high prevalence among population; the aim of this study is to evaluate the level of dental health knowledge and practices among diabetic patients, as diabetes increases the risk of oral health complications. Understanding these factors can help improve targeted oral health interventions in public health settings in Karachi, Pakistan. Method: The cross sectional study was conducted at the Diabetic Clinic of a public health hospital, A total of 120 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected for participation using simple random sampling. Data were collected through a validated and structured questionnaire, designed to capture relevant demographic, clinical, and behavioral information. For statistical analysis, the Chi-square test was used to assess associations between categorical variables, and cross-tabulation was performed to examine potential relationships between variables. Results: The results revealed that over half of the participants (57.5%, n = 69) were unaware that diabetic patients are more susceptible to oral diseases. Regarding oral hygiene practices, 79.2% (n = 95) of the participants reported brushing their teeth once daily, and 81.7% (n = 98) primarily used a toothbrush with toothpaste. The frequency of dental clinic visits showed a significant difference across age groups (p = 0.001) and education status (p < 0.001), with older and more educated participants visiting more regularly. Additionally, the duration of brushing significantly differed by smoking status (p < 0.001), where non-smokers were more likely to brush for 1–3 min compared to smokers. Conclusion: The study reveals that while diabetic patients possess moderate knowledge about the impact of diabetes on oral health, gaps remain, particularly among males and smokers. Oral health practices such as regular dental visits and adequate brushing duration are suboptimal, especially in less educated and smoking groups.