Periodontal disease and diabetes in institutionalized elderly, Bauru, Brazil

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the difference in periodontal status between diabetic and nondiabetic elderly residents of a long-term institution (LTI) in Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. 

Method: The sample consisted of elderly living in the LTI, aged 60 and over in both genders, who consented to participate in the survey, representing 37 elderly. For the examination of periodontal status CPI index was used in accordance with codes and criteria recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The evaluation of the presence of diabetes was done through analysis of their records. The statistical analysis was done descriptively using absolute and relative frequencies and using qui-square (x²) and Mann Whitney test (p <0.05).

Result: With respect to the periodontal disease, bleeding represented 14.29%, dental calculus represented 71.43%, shallow periodontal pockets 25.71% and deep pockets 8.57%. In relation with diabetes, 27.78% had the disease. Was not found statistically significant difference in periodontal status between diabetic and nondiabetic (p>0.05) and was not found statistically significant difference between genders and ethnicity (p>0.05)

Conclusion: It was observed high prevalence of periodontal disease in the studied group and there was no significant difference between diabetic and nondiabetic in periodontal status; there is a need to implement educational, preventive and assistance activities to improve the standard of the  elderly’s health.