Comparison of the oral health status of diabetic and non-diabetic Uruguayan children aged 8-12

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder that affects oral health; there are no data in Uruguay. Objective: To compare the oral health status of diabetic and non-diabetic children. Method: Observational, analytical case-control study where 86 children were evaluated and divided into two groups: DM1 Group, diabetic children aged 8-12 who go to Pereira Rossell Hospital Center without other systemic diseases and with no orthodontic treatment; Control group (CG): non-diabetic children in the same age group with public health care coverage, non-medicated and without orthodontic treatment. Variables: biofilm, dental caries, gingival bleeding. Results: Biofilm was present in all subjects. O'Leary Index: DM1=71.48 and CG=89.81. Bleeding on probing: DM1=76.7% and CG=60.7% (GBI averages are 5.57 and 2.36 respectively and GBI mean: DM1=3.65 and CG=1.04. Caries: DM1=40.0% and CG=28.6% (DMFT average: DM1=1.223 and CG=1.0357). Conclusions: We found significant statistical differences in bleeding index between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects (Mann & Whitney test) but not in the caries variables. These results allow for a comparison with international studies.