RT - Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry ID - 10.22514/jocpd.2026.038 T1 - Correlation between metabolic control and dental caries status in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus A1 - Adrián Curto A1 - Cecilia Patiño-Tejero A1 - Rosa María Gálvez-Gil A1 - Luna Omar Yacoub-Barakat A1 - Gladys Giráldez-López A1 - Beatriz Egido A1 - Clara Sandibel Garcete Delvalle A1 - Cristina Gómez-Polo K1 - Children; Dental caries; Type 1 diabetes mellitus; Metabolic control; Oral health YR - 2026 SP - 98 AB -

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common form of diabetes in children and adolescents, and its incidence and prevalence are rising worldwide. The disease has a profound impact on lifestyle, and the oral cavity is among the most frequently affected organs. Evidence from previous research suggests a complex association between TIDM and dental caries, yet the influence of metabolic control on oral health remains insufficiently defined. This study aimed to assess caries status in the permanent dentition of children and adolescents with T1DM and to determine whether poor metabolic control, measured by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), is associated with oral health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dental Clinic of the University of Salamanca (Spain) between 2020 and 2025. The study included 300 children aged 6–12 years with T1DM, divided into two groups according to the International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) criteria: 150 with good metabolic control (HbA1c <7%) and 150 with poor metabolic control (HbA1c >7%). Oral health was evaluated using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth index (DMFT) for permanent teeth. Results: The mean age of participants was 9.14 ± 1.92 years; 53.3% were boys and 46.7% were girls. The DMFT index ranged from 0 to 6, with a mean of 2.74 ± 1.81. Neither age nor sex significantly influenced DMFT values. Children with good metabolic control had a lower mean DMFT score (2.41 ± 1.76) compared with those with poor control (3.08 ± 1.80), and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Poor metabolic control (HbA1c >7%) was associated with a higher burden of dental caries in children with T1DM.