Impact of Periodontal Therapy on Glycemic Control in Diabetic Patients
1Dr zunera jahanzeb, 2Umar Tipu, 3Dr Syed Imran Hasan, 4Qamar Abbas, 5Dr Rafaqat Malik
, 6Mansoor Musa
Submission: 04 February 2026 | Acceptance: 01 March 2026 | Publication: 20 March 2026,
1Fellow in Endocrinology, Shifa International Hospital
2PIMS Islamabad
3Professor Periodontology, Dental Section, Hamdard college of Medicine and Dentistry
4PIMS Islamabad
5Assistant Professor Frontier Medical College Abbottabad
6UHS Lahore
ABSTRACT:
Background: Both periodontitis and diabetes mellitus affect one another, and chronic periodontal inflammation can make it harder for people with diabetes to control their blood sugars. According to studies, proper periodontal therapy could help diabetic patients manage their blood sugar better.
Aim: To evaluate the impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy on glycemic control, measured by changes in HbA1c levels, among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This prospective interventional study was done at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad from May 2024 to April 2025, which lasted for one year. A total of 90 patients who had type 2 diabetes and moderate to severe gum disease were chosen for the study. Participants had periodontal therapy done that did not need surgery, such as having their teeth cleaned and smoothed out under the gums. HbA1c levels were checked at the start and again three months later after treatment. Data were looked at using paired t-tests, and a p-value lower than 0.05 meant the results were seen as statistically significant.
Results: 84 out of the 90 people who started the study finished it. The mean HbA1c went down by 0.7% from 8.1% ± 1.2 at baseline to 7.4% ± 1.0 after treatment (p < 0.001). The periodontal parameters assessed in the clinic, such as probing depth and bleeding on probing, had a significant improvement after the treatment was completed.
Conclusion: Better control of blood sugar was seen in individuals with type 2 diabetes after undergoing non-surgical periodontal therapy. As a result, it is more important than ever to include periodontal care in the management of diabetic patients to promote better systemic health.
Keywords: Periodontal therapy, Glycemic control, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, HbA1c, Chronic periodontitis, Scaling and root planning.