Effect of an educational intervention (Senyumanis 'copyright') on dental clinic utilisation and glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients attending primary medical care clinics: A randomised controlled trial.

Research questions 1. How effective is oral health educational intervention on oral health practices, i.e. dental clinic attendance? 2. How is dental clinic attendance among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending primary medical care clinics 3. What is the improvement in glycemic control for diabetic patients who have undergone oral health intervention? Participants characteristics Out of total 244 patients, the average age was 59.55 (10.5) years old and most of the patients were in the age group of 55-64 years old. Most patients received higher education until secondary school, nearly half were retirees with a monthly income of less than RM 1000. Majority also having dyslipidaemia, hypertensionand more than one-third obese. Majority of patients had an intermediate lifestyle and cardiovascular health. All patients had good medications adherence. Key results In patients with diabetes, increasing oral health awareness helps to promote utilisation of dental clinic service and improvement of glycaemic control, but COVID-19 pandemic restriction influenced the assessment of actual practice. Limitations Convenience sampling: limits the generalisation of study findings Shorter study duration to observe actual T2DM patients practice on dental clinic visit and glycaemic control Findings represent study populations from 2 university based primary medical care clinics only