Periodontal Disease and Diabetes Mellitus: Disease Distribution and Severity at a Tertiary Health care Center in Bangladesh

Background: The relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and periodontal disease among Bangladeshis is poorly understood, despite DM being a known systemic risk factor for the condition. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and severity of periodontal disease in diabetic patients at a tertiary hospital in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis used clinical records of 100 patients where half were diabetic participants and half were non-diabetic participants from a tertiary hospital dental outpatient department. Data were collected on demographic information, diabetes diagnosis, periodontal clinical measurements and the implementation of 2018 American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) standards to classify periodontal diseases. Statistical analyses were conducted using chi-square and independent t-tests, with significance defined as p <0.05. Results: Periodontal disease was more prevalent and severe among diabetic patients. The diabetic group exhibited significantly higher mean periodontal pocket depth (4.2 ± 1.1 mm vs. 3.1 ± 0.9 mm; p <0.001) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) (3.8 ± 1.0 mm vs. 2.6 ± 0.8 mm; p <0.001) compared to non-diabetics. Severe periodontitis and Stage III–IV disease were more frequent among diabetics (36% and 20%, respectively), with statistically significant differences. Bleeding on probing (BOP), tooth mobility, and poor oral hygiene were also more common in the diabetic group. Conclusion: The presence and the severity of periodontal disease were more common for those with diabetes mellitus. In the healthcare system of Bangladesh, routine screening for periodontal diseases should be stressed in protocols for diabetics so that early aid can be given to help them stay healthy. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2026; 16(1): 20-24