The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries, DMFT score and treatment needs in a group of diabetic patients (n = 222), mean age 46.9 yr, and to compare them to those recorded in a control group (n = 189), mean age 43.9 yr, using WHO criteria. Relations between the type and duration of diabetes mellitus, diabetic complications (retinopathy and neuropathy), diabetic control, and the subjects' DMFT status were separately studied. The results obtained revealed no difference in the prevalence of caries between the group of diabetics and the control group. Neither was any difference found in the mean numbers of teeth with fillings, but the number of extracted teeth per subject was significantly higher in the group of diabetics (12.3) than in the control group (9.7) (P less than 0.01). Type I diabetics were found to have a significantly higher number of teeth with fillings (4.05 vs. 2.22) than the non-insulin dependent diabetics (P less than 0.001). Type II diabetics, however, had a significantly higher number of extracted teeth (14.1 vs. 10.4) (P less than 0.001). There was no difference in the caries experience regarding duration of diabetes, diabetic control, or diabetic complications.

The aim of this study was to investigate, using the CPITN system, the periodontal treatment needs in diabetic patients, and to shed additional light on the possible effects of the duration and control of diabetes on the periodontal status in these patients. A comparison was made between 222 diabetic patients (mean age, 46.9 years) and 189 control subjects (mean age, 43.9 years). Edentulous patients were not included in the study. The results indicated that diabetic patients demonstrated significantly more missing teeth (P less than 0.001). The mean number of missing sextants was also significantly higher in diabetics. Pathologic pockets of 6 mm or more were found in 1.3 and 0.3 sextants in the diabetic and control group subjects, respectively (P less than 0.001). Up to the age of 34, no differences were observed between the diabetic and control group subjects regarding pathologic pockets of 6 mm or more. Above this age, diabetics demonstrated significantly more sextants with deep pockets (P less than 0.001). Concerning the type of diabetes, no differences related to CPITN score were found between insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetics. Neither were any differences found in the periodontal condition related to the duration and control of diabetes, whereas diabetics with advanced retinopathy demonstrated more sextants with deep pockets. Oral hygiene instructions and scaling were required in all patients from both study groups. On an average, 1.3 sextants in 50.9% of diabetics and 0.3 sextants in 17.9% of control subjects required complex treatment.

The Zn/Cu ratio was examined in the serum of three groups of persons: healthy volunteers, diabetic patients on diabetic diet (NIDDM), and diabetic patients on diabetic diet and insulin (IDDM). Zinc, copper, the Zn/Cu serum ratio, and the blood glucose level were determined during fasting and 2 h after breakfast. Zn and Cu serum levels in NIDDM and IDDM patients were decreased. The Zn/Cu ratio was higher in both groups of diabetic patients. These changes in the Zn and Cu levels as well as in the Zn/Cu ratio were not related to chronic diabetic complications.

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1. When switching the method of insulin administration in patients from needle syringe to jet injections the power of the jet injector should be increased (it can be set in three different levels). If that is not possible, because of patient skin characteristics then the dose of intermediary acting insulin should be slightly increased. 2. No local or general side-effects were registered using minimum injecting power of jet injector. 3. The results of the controlled poll have shown that this method of insulin administration is less painful and simpler for patients. The great majority of the patients would like to possess a jet injector.