The Impact of Oral Hygiene on Dental Caries among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Study in Alkhoms Municipality

Dental caries continues to represent one of the most prevalent chronic diseases globally, exerting a substantial influence on patients' overall quality of life. Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are particularly susceptible to oral complications, including dental caries, owing to the deleterious effects of prolonged hyperglycemia on the oral microenvironment and host immune competence. Given this heightened vulnerability, elucidating the interplay between oral hygiene behavior and caries prevalence within this population is essential for the development of more effective preventive interventions. This study sought to examine the relationship between oral hygiene practices and the prevalence and severity of dental caries among patients with T2DM. An analytical cross-sectional design was adopted, conducted among 289 T2DM patients in Alkhoms, Libya. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire complemented by a thorough full-mouth clinical examination, with caries burden assessed via the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. The study sample comprised 289 patients with a mean age of 37.0 ± 4.1 years, of whom 68.9% exhibited poor glycemic control, with a mean HbA1c level of 8.1 ± 1.8%. Female participants demonstrated marginally higher DMFT scores relative to their male counterparts. Suboptimal oral hygiene practices were widely prevalent across the sample, and significantly elevated DMFT scores were closely associated with infrequent toothbrushing and limited dental attendance. Notably, a strong positive correlation emerged between DMFT scores and HbA1c levels (r = 0.885). Regression analysis further identified HbA1c level and brushing frequency as the most significant predictors of DMFT outcomes. Collectively, these findings underscore the protective role of adequate oral hygiene in mitigating dental caries among T2DM patients. Accordingly, the incorporation of oral health education into routine diabetes management protocols is recommended to optimize oral health outcomes within this clinically vulnerable population.