Dental health of young insulin dependent diabetic subjects in Northern Ireland.

The present study was undertaken to establish the dental disease and treatment levels in 101 young insulin dependent diabetic patients in Northern Ireland. There was a significantly greater proportion of children from the higher social classes in the diabetic group. Their dental caries experience was lower than that reported for the general population and the restorative indices were high. However, those whose diabetes was diagnosed at a late stage had a higher caries experience. There was significantly more gingivitis detected in older diabetic patients, but oral hygiene status did not significantly differ with age. There was a pattern of regular dental attendance in the majority of diabetic subjects.