Routine dental check-ups may help detect undiagnosed diabetes, with research finding more than 35 per cent of tested patients had blood sugar levels linked to pre-diabetes or diabetes.
The research screened 911 patients during routine dental visits using a simple finger-prick blood test. None of those flagged had previously reported a history of diabetes.
The test measures HbA1c, which shows how much glucose is attached to haemoglobin in red blood cells.
This reflects average blood sugar levels over about three months and does not require patients to fast beforehand.
The research is described as the largest UK study to date using this test during routine dental appointments and involved 911 patients from an Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Biobank at King’s College London.
Researchers also found higher HbA1c levels among patients with more severe gum disease, adding further evidence of a link between oral health and metabolic health.
Dr Giuseppe Mainas, specialist periodontist and research associate at King’s College London, said: “The findings suggest that dental visits may offer a valuable opportunity to identify those at risk of diabetes, particularly in older patients, those with higher BMI, and people with gum disease.”
Professor Mark Ide, professor of periodontology at King’s College London, added: “When the test reveals high levels of HbA1c, patients can then see their GP to investigate further.
“This is something they might not have done without having the dental screening. Most of the patients in our study were surprised that they had elevated HbA1c levels and had no idea they might have pre-diabetes or diabetes.
“The other benefit of the HbA1c test is not having to fast, which could increase risk of fainting in the dental chair.”
The research team said they now plan to explore wider use of the test across the UK and in other healthcare settings.
According to Diabetes UK, nearly 1.3m people in the UK could be living with type 2 diabetes without being diagnosed.
Early detection is considered important to help reduce complications and related costs to the NHS.
Professor Luigi Nibali, academic lead and director of the periodontology department at King’s College London, said: “The relationship between gum disease and metabolic health is bidirectional since impacts one another, as widely established by previous research.
“The inflammatory process can change the metabolic system, and the metabolic system impacts inflammation further. Gum disease can lead to complications of diabetes, and visa-versa.”