September 2014

Volume 31, Issue 3

Type II diabetes and oral health: perceptions among adults with diabetes and oral/health care providers in Ghana

Authors: H.L. Broder D. Tormeti A.L. Kurtz D. Baah-Odoom R.M. Hill S.M. Hirsch S.A. Hewlett J.K. Nimako-Boateng J.Y. Rodriguez L. Sischo
doi: 10.1922/CDH_3329Broder05

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to examine oral health beliefs and attitudes, and utilisation of oral health care services among individuals with diabetes and health professionals who serve them in Ghana. Basic Research Design: A qualitative study using grounded theory was conducted. Clinical Setting: University of Ghana Dental School at Korle Bu, University of Ghana School of Public Health, National Diabetes Research and Management Centre at Korle Bu, and New York University College of Dentistry. Participants: A convenience sample of 59 patients comprised 7 focus groups conducted in either Twi or English. Seven key informant interviews with healthcare professionals and one spiritual leader were completed. Results: Data from the focus groups and interviews reveal: 1, half of the participants with diabetes have oral manifestations (e.g., bleeding gums) and participants are generally unaware of interrelationship between diabetes and oral health; 2, dental treatment utilisation is minimal and associated almost exclusively with reparative and emergency care; and 3, medical health providers do not acknowledge the interrelationship between oral health and diabetes nor do they incorporate oral health issues into diabetes screening/treatment. Conclusion: Oral health knowledge and practices are limited among patients with diabetes in Accra, Ghana. Collaborative efforts for in-service education and training for oral health and medical professionals may be beneficial in serving the oral and general health care needs as well as improving the oral health-related quality of life of Ghanaians with diabetes. Key words: diabetes mellitus, qualitative research, periodontitis, quality of life, oral health, health literacy

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Other articles in this issue

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Editorial - Celebrating 50 years of water fluoridation in Birmingham – a time for decision-makers to tackle high tooth decay rates elsewhere 130-131 Download
Dental Public Health in Action - Training dental nurses with additional skills in oral health education and application of fluoride varnish: activity impact and challenges 132-135 Download
Frequency of daily tooth brushing: predictors of change in 9- to 11-year old US children 136-140 Download
Caries experience and treatment needs among Albanian 12-year-olds 141-144 Download
Experience of racism and tooth brushing among pregnant Aboriginal Australians: exploring psychosocial mediators 145-152 Download
Dietary intake of calcium, vitamins A and E and bleeding on probing in Sri Lankan preschoolers 153-157 Download
Type II diabetes and oral health: perceptions among adults with diabetes and oral/health care providers in Ghana 158-162 Download
Dental caries among children in Georgia by age, gender, residence location and ethnic group 163-166 Download
Access, literacy and behavioural correlates of poor self-rated oral health amongst an Indigenous South Australian population 167-171 Download
Effect of second mailing for consent on child dental survey results 172-175 Download
Evaluation of a capacity building clinical educational model for oral health clinicians treating very young children 176-182 Download
The significance of motivation in periodontal treatment: The influence of adult patients’ motivation on the clinical periodontal status 183-187 Download
Evaluation of internet search trends of some common oral problems, 2004 to 2014 188-192 Download

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