Validation of Diabetes Risk Assessment in Dentistry Score (DDS) in India: a Screening Tool to Identify Prediabetes and Undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes in Dental Settings

BACKGROUND- Most of the models for T2DM risk assessment exist for use in medical settings and include data which is commonly unavailable to dentists. To overcome the limitation of applicability of existing diabetes-risk assessment tools in dental settings, the Diabetes Risk Assessment in Dentistry Score (DDS) was developed utilizing measures routinely available to dentists. It has been developed and validated in a German population and found to perform broadly at par with those validated for use in medical settings. RATIONALE-Models developed in a specific population need to be validated in other populations before they can be adopted. The DDS screening tool has not been validated in Indian population till date. OBJECTIVES- To assess performance of DDS screening tool in predicting the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus among individuals seeking dental consultation in Indian population. METHODS-The study participants will include individuals seeking dental consultation at a university teaching hospital in India. All participants will undergo DDS risk-assessment followed by measurement of serum HbA1c levels to establish diagnosis of health, prediabetes or undiagnosed T2DM. EXPECTED OUTCOMES-It is expected that the DDS screening model performs well in Indian population, with scope for incorporation of the model during regular dental visits.