Dental hygienists and their knowledge about the management of diabetic patients

INTRODUCTION Dental hygienists may play an important role in improving the quality of life for diabetic patients. They should have a thorough understanding of signs and symptoms of diabetes, as well as its management strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS A survey was conducted among dental hygienists and dental hygiene students at the University of Eastern Piedmont during their clinical training with patients to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of the participants regarding the management of diabetic patients in dental setting. RESULTS A total of 57 participants with a mean age of 26.2 years responded to the survey. Overall, most items received almost uniform answers with percentages of more than 80% of the correct answer. A statistically significant difference was observed between participants according to their academic level as for some knowledge and attitude items. No statistically significant differences were found according to gender or age. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The study found that education level significantly influenced dental hygiene students’ knowledge and attitudes as for the management of DM patients. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Specialized training, interactive workshops, and regular courses are advisable to enhance dental hygienists’ confidence in managing diabetic patients