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Diabetes & Oral Health

Diabetes continues to be a major concern in oral health care. Oral complications with diabetes can include dry mouth, dental caries, candidiasis, periodontal disease and tooth loss.

These patients, critically dependent on oral function in the management of this condition, may have reduced or compromised therapeutic options in care.

The Latest Facts & Findings

Our research has focused on understanding the implications of diabetes in oral health care and the role of oral health in diabetes.

26 million

people in the U.S. are thought to have diabetes. In Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, almost 12% of the population has been diagnosed with diabetes.

$5.7 million

in NIH support goes toward clinical research understanding the relationship of diabetes and oral health in San Antonio.

image of smiling couple
geriatric patient receiving treatment

Being a part of these research projects allows me to enjoy the look of delight on our diabetic patients’ faces for treatment that they may not otherwise receive. This is the blending of research and clinical care.

Dr. Peggy Alexander, clinical researcher

Research Details

  • DPTT Study

    We examine whether scaling and root planing and supportive periodontal therapy will be better reducing elevated HbA1c six-months post-randomization in subjects with type 2 diabetes and untreated moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis.

  • Implant Study

    Our team investigates how diabetes influences bone metabolism and learns how to treat diabetes patients and maintain future implant stability and oral health.

     

  • Researchers

    Meet our research team, which has decades of combined experience investigating the effects of diabetes on patients’ oral health.

  • Publications

    Our work has been featured in the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, the Journal of Periodontology, and other international publications.

    Our publications