“Investment in dental health of diabetic patients could save NHS millions”

The study identified a “statistically significant association” between how looking after gum health led to reduced healthcare costs among people newly diagnosed with diabetes.

Analysis of the data from more than 15,000 adults ages 18-64 who were newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes found that those who had gum disease treated at an early stage had an average saving of almost £1,500 in healthcare costs over a two year period.

Oral health charity the Oral Health Foundation believes if the NHS were to adopt a strategy of prioritising oral health of those with diabetes, not only would it save them millions of pounds but also provide those patients with better quality of life.

Speaking about the findings, Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said that with 3.5m people with diabetes in the UK, there is severe pressure on the NHS to act with urgency.

Nigel said: “The link between oral health and serious systemic diseases has become increasingly obvious over recent years and one of the clearest relationships which we have seen is with diabetes.