Dental management considerations for the patient with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, or DM, in the United States is increasing steadily. The increasing longevity of the American population and more effective diagnostic protocols mean that the dental practitioner will be treating an increasing number of patients with the disease. METHODS The authors present relevant information about DM, including a recently revised nomenclature system, pathophysiology, complications, new diagnostic criteria, medical and dental management considerations, and associated oral conditions. CONCLUSIONS There are many important medical and dental management issues that dentists should consider when treating patients with DM. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The information presented in this report should help general dentists deliver optimum treatment to patients with DM.