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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Susan BissettORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© The Author(s) 2026.Aims To identify current practice, knowledge and beliefs of medical healthcare professionals working in Scotland, related to the link between periodontal disease and diabetes. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken in 2021 with endocrinology consultants and registrars, general practitioners, diabetes specialist nurses, practice nurses and healthcare assistants involved in the care of people with diabetes across Scotland. Exploratory interviews were used to inform the development of an online self-report questionnaire. In total, 128 medical healthcare professionals completed the questionnaire. Quantitative data were subjected to frequency calculations. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results The questionnaire revealed that most participants did not discuss the link between diabetes and periodontal disease with their patients with diabetes, nor did they refer patients with diabetes to a dentist or inform the dentist of the diagnosis. Participants reported a lack of awareness of the link, insufficient time to discuss this with patients, and unclear referral pathways. Conclusions Results highlight the need to strengthen education and patient communication by raising awareness, developing resources, and improving referral pathways between medicine and dentistry.
Author(s): Cousins M, Beaton L, Knights J, Patel KB, Araujo MP, Scott C, Bissett SM, Clarkson J, Young L
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Dental Journal
Year: 2026
Pages: Epub ahead of print
Online publication date: 15/05/2026
Acceptance date: 12/12/2025
Date deposited: 01/06/2026
ISSN (print): 0007-0610
ISSN (electronic): 1476-5373
Publisher: Springer Nature
URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-026-9625-7
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-026-9625-7
Data Access Statement: The dataset used and analysed in this article is not available due to restrictions from the ethical committee. Please contact the corresponding author for more information.
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