A Major Missed Opportunity: Most UK Adults Unaware of the Periodontitis-Diabetes Link
A recent study highlights a critical gap in public health awareness: the vast majority of UK adults do not realize that periodontal disease (gum disease) is associated with an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes. This lack of knowledge is compounded by a high incidence of people ignoring or brushing off bleeding gums—a key sign of gum disease—and a failure by dental professionals to consistently communicate this systemic risk.
The findings stress the urgent need to close the awareness gap and position routine dental visits as a crucial gateway for early screening and intervention for chronic systemic conditions like diabetes.
The Data: Awareness Gap and Missed Dental Interventions
The study, commissioned by a periodontal health brand, revealed a significant disconnect in public knowledge and clinical action:
Low Oral Health Awareness: Only one in ten participants knew that periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes, despite recognizing common risk factors like diet and weight.
Ignored Symptoms: More than a third of UK adults experience bleeding gums monthly and frequently ignore it or brush more softly, missing a chance to address the underlying gum disease.
Missed Dental Screenings: While many people received a diabetes risk warning from their general medical practitioner, fewer than one in 20 recalled receiving the same message from their dentist. This shows a major missed opportunity for early awareness and intervention within the dental setting.
The Underlying Mechanism/Call to Action
The acknowledged bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes means that managing one condition positively impacts the other. This recognition has led to a significant push for dental teams to become proactive screeners:
Screening Pathway Trial: A partnership between Haleon and the University of Birmingham is trialing a new care pathway in 50 UK dental practices. This initiative aims to screen 10,000 patients for potential risk of Type 2 Diabetes during routine check-ups using risk questionnaires and blood samples.
Holistic Dentistry: The initiative emphasizes that oral healthcare teams are uniquely positioned to identify at-risk individuals, enabling earlier diagnosis and support through referral to a general practitioner.
Potential Impact: If this screening pathway is rolled out nationally, it is estimated that dental teams could potentially detect undiagnosed diabetes in over one million people, significantly helping to manage complications before they become severe.
Clinical Implications
The study provides a clear mandate for the dental community to embrace a holistic health role:
Prioritize Education: Dental hygienists and dentists must explicitly educate patients about the systemic link between gum health and diabetes, stressing that treating periodontitis can help stabilize blood glucose control.
Routine Screening: Routine dental check-ups should be integrated into the wider public health strategy for managing non-communicable diseases.
Earlier Diagnosis: Utilizing the dental chair for preventative screenings could lead to earlier diagnosis of diabetes, improving patient quality of life and reducing long-term healthcare complications.
Original Article Details
Original Title: Most UK adults do not realise that periodontal disease may be associated with diabetes, study finds
Source: Dental Tribune
Publication Date: December 9, 2025