32-LB: Oral Care Behaviors among the U.S. Population with Diabetes

Diabetes self-care skills are necessary to control glucose in people with diabetes (PWD). The ADA recommends self-care behaviors including healthy eating, being active, monitoring, taking medication, consulting diabetes care professionals, and reducing risk for complications. Oral self-care is an important but often overlooked aspect of reducing risk in diabetes self-care. This study examined the relationship between diabetes self-care and oral care behaviors. Using NHANES 2011-2016, we analyzed data from 1,585 dentate adults (≥ 30yrs) with self-reported diabetes. Oral self-care was measured by use of preventive dental care in the past year and flossing frequency (never, 1-6day/week, daily). Descriptive analyses compared people reporting good diabetes self-care (score 4-7, summary score of 7 self-care recommendations) and those with poor diabetes self-care (score 0-3), an approximate median split. Sample weights were applied to derive US population estimates. Multivariable and multinomial logistic regression was performed adjusting for age, gender, race, education, income and health insurance. Among the US PWD, 35% report daily flossing and 29% report never flossing; 48% reported a preventive dental visit in the past year. PWD who performed good diabetes self-care were 47% more likely to report using preventive dental care compared to those with poor diabetes self-care (AOR=1.47, 95%CI 1.18-1.84), and they were 38% more likely to be flossing daily (AOR=1.38, 95%CI 1.07-1.79). PWD who practice good diabetes self-care are more likely to also engage in good oral self-care. However, the association cannot be attributed to diabetes self-management education because until 2023, the ADA standards for diabetes self-management did not address oral health practices or dental care. Continued efforts are needed to incorporate oral self-care practices into diabetes self-care education. Further research is warranted to determine possible disparities in diabetes self-management and oral care. Disclosure Y. Zhang: None. S. Leveille: None. K. Berger: None. S. M. Camhi: None. L. Shi: None.