NASHVILLE – (BUSINESSWIRE) – Most people wouldn’t equate a dentist office visit with being adiabetes diagnosis, but according to research presented today at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ 24th Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress that’s one of the most logical places to be screened for the chronic disease.
Diabetes Detection in the Dental Office (DiDDO) is the latest abstract from endocrinologist Saleh A. Aldasouqi of Michigan State University and colleagues, including Michigan dental surgeon Susan Maples.
Taking advantage of the fact that most Americans regularly schedule visits with their dentist, more so than with their medical doctors, dental offices emerged as an innovative and effective means for free, diabetes screening through a 14-question survey. What were the questions asked?
“Faced with the fact that 8.1 million people or 27.8 percent of the population have undiagnosed diabetes, we saw an opportunity to alleviate the health and financial burdens of undiagnosed diabetes by way of the dental office,” said Dr. Aldasouqi. “The study consisted of 500 patients who completed the survey and subsequently a finger stick for A1C measurement. It was determined 19.2 percent were diagnosed with pre-diabetes and 1.2 percent with diabetes mellitus.”
“Our study confirmed that engaging a dental office in the detection of diabetes is an important and proactive means of screening for undiagnosed pre-diabetes and diabetes,” added Dr. Aldasouqi.
Dr. Aldasouqi will be available for a press conference today (Thursday) May 14, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Music City Center, Media Room.
For a brief bio and photo of Saleh Aldasouqi, please click here.
About the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) represents more than 6,500 endocrinologists in the United States and abroad. AACE is the largest association of clinical endocrinologists in the world. The majority of AACE members are certified in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism and concentrate on the treatment of patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity. Visit our site at www.aace.com.