Authors : Almoeiz Y Hammad, Ahmed Ishag, Daris Aldoma, Sara N Ibrahim, Alaa MH Ahmed
DOI : 10.5005/bjotgh-11016-0034
Volume : 2
Issue : 3
Year : 2026
Page No : 65-70
Background: This study investigated the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) control and periodontal health among adults in Sudan’s North State. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 640 adults with T2DM, assessing glycaemic control via glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and performing comprehensive oral examinations to evaluate periodontal status. Results: Poor glycaemic control was prevalent, with only 25% of participants achieving the target HbA1c (<6.5%). Periodontal disease (PD) was widespread, with 85.9% having gingivitis and 71.9% reporting gum bleeding. A longer duration of diabetes was significantly associated with worse plaque accumulation, gum inflammation, bleeding, and periodontal destruction. Notably, in the 18–45 age-group, men exhibited poorer glycaemic control and worse periodontal health than women; these gender differences were absent in older cohorts. Conclusion: The findings confirm a strong, bidirectional relationship between T2DM progression and PD. This underscores the critical need for integrated health care models that incorporate dental care into standard diabetes management, with a specific focus on younger adults and individuals with longer diabetes duration to improve overall health outcomes. Limitations: This cross-sectional study from a single Sudanese region finds a strong association between longer diabetes duration and worse periodontal health, but its design cannot prove causation, and its findings may not apply to other populations. Keywords: Adults, Bleeding on probing, Chronic conditions, Epidemiology, Type 2 diabetes mellitus.