Effect of educational intervention on oral health self-care behaviors in diabetic patients

Introduction: Diabetic patients are vulnerable to periodontal diseases and caries due to systemic disorders. It is essential for diabetic patients to understand the importance of oral health self-care behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of educational intervention on oral health self-care behaviors in diabetic patients.Materials and Methods: In the present randomized controlled study, 150 diabetic patients were selected based on random sampling using a table of random numbers from those referring to a diabetes care service center in Qazvin. Control and experimental groups completed a questionnaire (demographic questionnaire, 26-item scale of TPB constructs and 7-day recalling scale for assessing brushing and flossing behaviors) at baseline and 30 months after education. Intervention was carried out in three 30‒45-minute group discussions in the experimental group. Data were analyzed with SPSS 20.0 using independent t-test and chi-squared, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests (α = 0.05).Results: The results showed significant increases in mean scores of knowledge (from 4.5 ± 1.7 to 9.6 ± 2.2), attitude (from 19.4 ± 4.6 to 33.0 ± 6.1), subjective norms (from 10.2 ± 1.9 to 16.7 ± 2.7), perceived behavioral controls (from 10.8 ± 3.0 to 15.5 ± 3.3) and intention (from 4.3 ± 0.9 to 9.4 ± 1.2) (p value < 0.001). In addition, frequency of brushing (from 1.03 ± 0.3 to 1.6 ± 0.3) and flossing (from 0.4 ± 0.18 to 0.7 ± 0.2) improved in patients in the experimental group (p value < 0.001).Conclusion: The results of the present study showed the efficacy of theory-oriented educational interventions in changing oral health-related self-care behaviors in diabetic patients. Attention to orodental health in diabetic patients, use of educational interventions to change behaviors and use of individual techniques can dramatically reduce the economic and health burden of periodontal diseases and dental caries in diabetic patients. Key words: Attitude, Diabetes mellitus, Health education, Oral hygiene, Periodontal diseases