Calif. Dental Hygienists Help Identify Undiagnosed Diabetes;
Periodontal Disease Serves as an Early Warning Sign

GLENDALE, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2006/U.S. Newswire) – Diabetes affects nearly 21 million Americans, one-third of whom remain undiagnosed for the disease.

To call attention to the problem, the California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA) today announced a statewide initiative to help identify people with undiagnosed diabetes. The effort comes on the heels of American Diabetes Alert Day, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association to raise awareness that diabetes is serious, and that many people don’t realize they are afflicted.

To help Californians better understand their diabetes risk and take appropriate action, CDHA is encouraging all individuals to determine their risk by taking the Diabetes Risk Test located on the association's Web site (www.cdha.org/public_health/diabetes.htm).

CDHA wants the public to know that people with diabetes are at increased risk for periodontal (gum) disease. Those with diabetes are two to three times more likely than persons without diabetes to have severe periodontal disease, according to the latest research. Periodontal disease may in fact be the first sign that a person has diabetes.

"Diabetes may be present for a number of years before it is diagnosed and the dental hygienist may be the first health care professional to detect a patient's diabetes by recognizing early signs of the disease in the mouth, and by reviewing the patient's medical history," said Lin Sarfaraz, RDH, CDHA's president. "Identifying those who have a parent or sibling with diabetes is an important component leading to a physician referral and a possible early diagnosis of diabetes."

Recent research suggests a two-way connection between diabetes and periodontal disease. Not only are persons with diabetes more susceptible to periodontal disease, but the presence of periodontal disease can worsen blood sugar control. "Diabetics with periodontal disease may have greater mortality from diabetic complications such as cardiovascular disease and kidney complications than diabetics with little or no periodontal disease," said Robert J. Genco, vice provost at the University of Buffalo.

According to the California Department of Health Services, the overall prevalence of diabetes among California adults is increasing. Nearly 1.7 million adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. Among adults not diagnosed with diabetes, 35.2 percent are overweight and 18 percent are obese.

Genco and his research team found that the presence of periodontal disease combined with obesity may contribute to type 2 diabetes and its complications. Californians can reduce their risk for diabetes by taking proper care of their mouth, not smoking, keeping body weight under control, eating fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and staying active most days of the week.

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The California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA) is the authoritative voice of the state's dental hygiene profession. While registered dental hygienists have worked in the state for nearly a century, CDHA was established 20 years ago when two regional associations merged to form a unified professional group. CDHA represents thousands of dental hygienists throughout the state and is dedicated to expanding opportunities for the profession and access to care for all Californians.

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