A study by researchers from the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) has found that routine dental visits may help identify individuals with undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes, underscoring the potential role of oral health professionals in early detection and preventive care.
Published in Nov 2024 in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, the study titled “Identifying Undiagnosed Diabetes and Prediabetes in the Dental Setting in an Asian Population — A Clinical Risk Model” examined more than 1,000 patients at NDCS. The findings revealed that approximately one in seven participants had either undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes.
Led by Dr Chee Hoe Kit, senior consultant at NDCS’s department of restorative dentistry, periodontics unit, the research team developed a clinical risk model incorporating common health indicators such as body mass index (BMI), family history of diabetes, smoking status, and presence of severe periodontitis. The model aims to assist dental professionals in identifying patients who may be at higher risk of diabetes or prediabetes.
Key findings include:
- Around one in seven dental patients may unknowingly have prediabetes or diabetes
- Among 1,074 patients aged 21 and above, 6.1% were newly diagnosed with type two diabetes, while 7.7% were identified as prediabetic
- Higher risk was observed among patients with advanced periodontitis, elevated BMI, a family history of diabetes, and smoking habits
- Incorporating oral health indicators improved the accuracy of diabetes risk prediction compared to models using traditional factors alone
The study reinforces the established two-way relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes. Poorly controlled blood glucose can worsen gum inflammation, while untreated gum disease may impair blood sugar regulation.
Dr Chee noted that dentists can consider several key indicators when assessing potential diabetes risk, including high BMI, smoking, family history, and advanced gum disease. He also emphasised the potential for dental professionals to play a complementary role in diabetes detection through timely referrals for medical evaluation.
The findings align with the growing focus on interdisciplinary collaboration between dental and medical fields, particularly in regions such as Asia, where type two diabetes prevalence remains high. In Singapore, diabetes affects an estimated 11.6% of the population, among the highest rates in South East Asia, and is projected to rise further in the coming decade.
NDCS, in collaboration with the Singapore General Hospital’s Diabetes & Metabolism Centre (DMC), continues to study the link between periodontal health and metabolic control. A follow-up study, published in Sep 2025 in the Journal of Dental Research, involved 154 non-smoking patients with type two diabetes and periodontitis. Participants received nonsurgical periodontal therapy and regular maintenance care over 12 months.
The results showed improved gum health and a measurable reduction in HbA1c levels by an average of 0.77%, and up to 1.31% among those with initially poor glycaemic control. These findings suggest that maintaining good periodontal health may have beneficial effects on metabolic outcomes.
According to Dr Chee, ongoing research supports a collaborative medical-dental model of care in managing patients with diabetes and periodontal disease.
With both conditions affecting large segments of the global population, the integration of dental and medical care could offer a cost-effective strategy to improve early detection and long-term management of diabetes.
