OBJECTIVE: To evaluate periodontal condition of diabetic children and its related factors. METHODS: The plaque index (PI), sites with bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were evaluated in all occlusion permanent teeth of 168 non smoking type 1 diabetic children, 13 ± 3.5 years old. The PI and BOP evaluations were also performed in deciduous teeth. RESULTS: It was observed a prevalence of 20.8% of gingivitis and 5.9% of periodontitis. Those individuals with poor metabolic control had higher percentage of affected sites on PD (p = 0.004) and on CAL (p = 0.014). Patients having more than five years with diabetes mellitus type 1 showed higher percentual of affected sites on PD (p = 0.002), on BOP (p < 0.001) and on CAL (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: DM1 duration and poor glycemic control were significantly associated with periodontal disturbances suggesting higher susceptibility of this population in developing DP.
Adolescent; dentition; periodontitis; diabetes melito
