Recent advances in diabetes mellitus of interest to dentistry.

Significant changes were made in 1997 by The Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus of the American Association of Diabetes regarding the diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. The terms "insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (IDDM) and "non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus" (NIDDM) were dropped. The new classification is, in general, based on etiology rather than on treatment and includes four groups: Type I (autoimmune), Type 2 (non-autoimmune), Other specific types, and Gestational diabetes. The fasting blood glucose level for diagnosis was lowered from 140 mg/dL to 126 mg/dL. A random blood glucose of 200 mg/dL or greater in a patient with symptoms of diabetes is diagnostic. Each of these diagnostic tests needs to be repeated on a separate day. The glucose tolerance test is no longer recommended for routine diagnostic use. Recommendations for the screening of diabetes mellitus in presumably healthy individuals are presented. New advances in insulin and its delivery to the diabetic patient are discussed. The impact of diabetes mellitus on the oral cavity is updated.