June 19, 2008
Ask Your Physician About The Connections Between Diabetes & Dental Health
More and more research is linking these two diseases, but not all physicians may be aware of just how closely recent research has connected oral health problems with diabetes. Talk with your physician about what you’ve learned about dental health and its influence on diabetes. Ask your physician to consider the connections with gum disease when formulating a treatment plan to help you manage your diabetes symptoms.
Ask your physician if you should see an endocrinologist. Endocrinologists have special training in caring for diabetics.
If you’re not comfortable with your current physician’s knowledge in diabetes, you may want to seek out a new one. Schedule a first visit to get to know the physician. You want to choose someone you feel comfortable with in discussing your diabetes issues.
Questions you’ll want to ask include:
- Are you specially trained in treating diabetes?
- What percentage of your practice are people with diabetes?
- Which type of diabetes do you treat more often, type 1 or type 2?
- How often do you recommend regular office visits?
- What tests do you do at regular visits?
- How is your practice covered when you’re not here or on nights and weekends?
- Are you involved in any diabetes health care teams for your patients?
- Do you refer to specialists? Diabetes educators? Dietitians?
After your visit evaluate your conversation. Did the physician listen to your concerns? Was he or she concerned about your diabetes management? Did the physician answer your questions? Do you feel comfortable with this physician?
For more diabetes information, get your free five-lesson mini-course on diabetes and your teeth at DentistryForDiabetics.com.
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