Dental caries among children with diabetes in Benghazi, Libya

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus affects over 537 million worldwide and is expected to rise significantly. Diabetic children are more prone to dental health problems. Aim: To assess the prevalence and experience of dental caries among children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods and subjects: A cross-sectional study included diabetic children aged 4-15 years, was conducted in Benghazi-Libya at Benghazi Medical Center, Benghazi Children’s Hospital, and the National Center for Diabetes Diagnosis and Treatment. Data were collected through patient records, and a validated questionnaire completed by the participants’ caregivers. Dental caries experience was assessed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) oral health examination using the DMFT/dmft indices. All collected data were coded, entered, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25, ensuring data accuracy, confidentiality, and integrity throughout the research process. Results: A total of 151 participants aged 4 to 15 years in Benghazi City were included in the analysis. With a slight female majority (53.6%) and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (98%), of which 96% were uncontrolled diabetes. Clinical examination revealed a high prevalence of dental caries in both primary (56.5%) and permanent dentitions (54.5%), with mean dmft and DMFT scores of 2.31 and 1.63, respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of dental caries among diabetic children in Benghazi, affecting over half of the sample in both primary and permanent teeth. There were no notable differences in caries prevalence by gender. Additionally, 96% of the participants had uncontrolled diabetes, which likely exacerbated their oral health problems.