The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between patients' answers to behavioral questionnaires on diabetes and oral health, oral parameters and metabolic control of diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted on fifty type 2 diabetic subjects selected according to specific criteria, mainly: diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus occurred at least 6 months before the study, presence of > or = 5 natural teeth and having at least two recent glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c measurements. Three questionnaires were administered to the patients after a preliminary testing phase. The questionnaires were: Multidimensional Diabetes Questionnaire (MDQ), organized in three sections; Stress Evaluation Questionnaire for Diabetics, a single questionnaire; and Dental Self-efficacy, organized in three sections. Clinical parameters were O'Leary Plaque Index, and percentage of bleeding on probing. Diabetic metabolic control was calculated using HbA1c measurements. Reliability of questionnaires was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Relationship among variables was tested by Pearson Correlation analysis. A p-value <0.05 was significant.
Results: The mean age of the study sample was 52.2 years; 38 individuals were women (77%), and 12 were men (23%). The majority had only completed elementary education (55%). Mean plaque index score was 53.51% (SD 21.6), mean bleeding on probing was 36.33% (SD 23.65). Mean HbA1c value was 9.22% (SD 2.6). Dental self-efficacy for using dental floss and visiting a dentist was low, but it was high for tooth brushing. There was a significant correlation between the MDQ and HbA1c Percentage of bleeding on probing had a correlation with self-efficacy for dental visits. The MDQ section I had a correlation with O'Leary Plaque Index, sections II and III had a correlation with self-efficacy for tooth brushing, section III had a correlation with self-efficacy for visiting a dentist. In conclusion, self-efficacy questionnaires for tooth brushing and visiting a dentist had a significant correlation with self-efficacy for diabetes control.