AUTHOR=Serón Constanza , Olivero Pablo , Flores Nicolás , Cruzat Benjamín , Ahumada Francisca , Gueyffier François , Marchant Ivanny 

TITLE=Diabetes, periodontitis, and cardiovascular disease: towards equity in diabetes care

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1270557

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1270557

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Type 2 diabetes coupled with its associated cardiovascular risk, is an escalating epidemic that places a substantial public health burden due to increased morbidity and mortality, disproportionately impacting disadvantaged communities. Poor glycemic control exacerbates this burden by fostering retinal, kidney and heart damage and increased healthcare expenses. This predicament underscores the pressing need for research into costeffective approaches to prevent diabetes complications. One pertinent, yet often overlooked, strategy for improving metabolic control in diabetic patients is the treatment of periodontitis.Our goal is to assess whether the inclusion of periodontitis treatment in diabetes management strategies can effectively improve metabolic control and to advocate for its inclusion from an equity perspective. We conducted a comprehensive literature review spanning the years 2000 to 2023. We analyzed the pathophysiological connections between periodontitis, diabetes, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, all of which have inflammation as a pivotal component. We also explored the inequality of healthcare spending in this context. Our findings suggest that the incorporation of routine screening and periodontitis treatment into national healthcare programs, with coordinated efforts between physicians and dentists, represents a cost-effective measure to enhance metabolic control, mitigate complications, and elevate the overall quality of life for individuals living with diabetes.