NEW CAMPAIGN SAYS DENTAL CHECKUPS ARE IMPORTANT FOR MANAGING DIABETES

PARSIPPANY, NJ (October 25, 2002) – Many people who have diabetes are unaware of it. However, a routine dental exam might uncover the presence of this disease. And that is the premise of a new public-awareness campaign from Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey (Delta Dental).

The campaign highlights the dentist's role in helping to manage the dental effects of diabetes, emphasizing that there are ways for dentists to spot undiagnosed diabetes. Millions of diabetics also have to battle gum disease, and caring for gum disease is an important part of overall diabetes management.

"A routine oral exam could help identify health problems like diabetes. Once diagnosed, diabetics can seek much-needed treatment," said Dr. Scott Navarro, Dental Director, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey. "The mouth can offer clear-cut signals that the disease is present."

Recent research indicates that diabetes is associated with an abnormally high degree of gum inflammation and localized bleeding, and diabetics have a higher than normal risk for periodontal disease. Controlling sugar levels can help control diabetes. Treating periodontal disease and reducing bacteria in the body are also important in the overall management of diabetes.

Statistics from the American Diabetes Association indicate that 17 million people in the United States have diabetes, and the association estimates that more than five million of them are not aware that they have the disease. Early detection is important because when left untreated, diabetes can lead to a number of serious health complications, including kidney disease, heart disease and stroke, nerve damage, blindness and death.

"Our goal is to highlight the connection between the condition of the mouth and the body's ability to fight systemic disease, highlighting the dentist's role in detecting and treating the oral manifestations of diabetes," said Dr. Navarro. "We want to let people know that routine trips to the dentist can lead to more than just a healthy smile. They can lead to early detection and management of a serious disease, like diabetes."

Facts on Diabetes and Oral Health

• There are 17 million people in the United States who have diabetes. Of these, approximately 11 million have been diagnosed, and an estimated 5.9 million remain undiagnosed.
• Many people don't know they have diabetes until they develop one of its life-threatening symptoms.
• Young adults with diabetes are twice as likely to have gum disease as those who aren't diabetic.
• About one third of diabetics have severe gum disease with gums that pull away from teeth and leave deep pockets.
• Poorly controlled diabetes could raise the levels of harmful proteins in the gums and triglycerides in the blood, leading to a reaction with oral plaque that destroys gums.
• One study indicated that pregnant diabetics have more gum inflammation and deeper pockets between their teeth than non-diabetic pregnant women. Gum disease in itself is a risk factor for pre-term, low birth weight babies, but may be particularly threatening to pregnant women who are diabetic.
• Having periodontal disease can make controlling diabetes more difficult.
• People with diabetes are encouraged to be aware of both their medical and dental health.

Sources: The first four bullet points are from the American Diabetes Association. The remaining bullet points are from coverage of studies published in the Journal of Periodontology.

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s and Connecticut's leading dental benefits carrier, providing coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental Plan system is a national network of independently operated, not-for-profit dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs for employee groups throughout the country. For more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com.