Diabetes is a prevalent and costly disease among users of VA care. Goals of diabetes care include the prevention and/or delay of complications via adequate glycemic control. Improvements in periodontal status may also improve diabetes control.

This project will determine the efficacy of a program of periodontal screening and therapy in improving the level of glycemic control in poorly controlled diabetics.

This study will provide new information on the efficacy of periodontal care as an adjunctive therapy for diabetes care. Our findings on AE emphasize the need to closely monitor subjects in any clinical trial. VA patients who receive doxycycline or CHX should be carefully informed and monitored for AE.

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

• Patients must have diabetes mellitus, and
• HbAlc > 9,
• > 8 teeth, and
• CPITN scores of 3 or 4 in, at least 2 sextants of the mouth, indicating moderate to high periodontal treatment need.