Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissues and is considered the sixth complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Untreated periodontitis can worsen glycaemic control or increase the risk of developing DM. Medical professionals play a crucial role in promoting early counselling for periodontal maintenance among diabetic patients, as they often have more frequent interactions with patients compared to dentists. The interrelationship between systemic and oral diseases necessitates a comprehensive approach to treatment. Despite this, awareness among medical professionals about the association between DM and periodontitis remains limited. This survey aims to investigate the knowledge of medical doctors regarding periodontitis as a complication of DM and their opinions on the timely referral of these patients to a dentist.

A structured questionnaire was prepared using Google Forms and distributed among medical practitioners. It included multiple-choice questions under six categories i.e. Awareness of uncontrolled DM and its complications; Pathogenesis of uncontrolled hyperglycaemia; Awareness of the two-way relationship between DM and periodontitis; Complications of periodontitis; Effects of periodontal therapy on hyperglycaemia; Need for referral of diabetic patients to a dentist.

A total of 104 certified medical professionals participated in the survey, including 67 general practitioners and 37 specialists. 31% of participants recognized DM as a disorder with its symptoms in the oral cavity and regarding referral practices, only 33.7% of the participants regularly referred diabetic patients for regular periodontal evaluation.