The role of knowledge and self-efficacy on dental consultation behavior of patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIM

This study aimed to examine the association of knowledge and self-efficacy as variables for behavior related to dental consultations among patients with type 2 diabetes, depending on the diagnosis of periodontal disease at a general hospital in Japan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 198 patients with type 2 diabetes (mean age: 66.1 ± 10.1 years, men: 56.6%, mean glycated hemoglobin: 7.3 ± 1.0%). The self-efficacy of patients with periodontal disease was assessed using the Self-Efficacy Scale for Self-Care. Knowledge was measured using five dichotomous items based on reference to clinical guidelines. Dental consultation behavior was assessed from regular dental checkup behavior.

RESULTS

In total, 31.8% of participants attended their regular dental checkup in the last year. Logistic regression analysis revealed that dental consultation behavior was positively associated with self-efficacy among patients diagnosed with periodontal disease (odds ratio [OR] = 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-1.45), and positively associated with the knowledge among patients not diagnosed with periodontal disease (OR = 1.54, 95%, CI: 1.09 - 2.16).

CONCLUSION

Patients without periodontal disease need to learn about accurate knowledge regarding periodontal disease as a complication of diabetes and its prevention via dental checkups. Supportive consultation to improve self-efficacy with respect to dental consultations should be offered to patients with periodontal disease. Medical professionals will be able to support each patient with type 2 diabetes by changing the educational approach for promoting regular dental checkups at the time of diabetes consultations.