Conclusions

This study demonstrates a very high prevalence of periodontal disease among diabetic patients attending a diabetic clinic at a regional referral hospital in rural southwestern Uganda, with half of the participants presenting severe periodontitis. Female sex and tertiary education were protective factors against periodontal disease. The unexpected protective slight association with reported alcohol consumption is likely explained by measurement limitations.

These findings underscore the need for integrated oral health services within diabetic clinics in Uganda, with particular emphasis on oral health education and periodontal screening targeted at male patients and those with lower educational attainment. Future longitudinal studies with detailed exposure assessment (especially of alcohol and oral hygiene practices) are warranted to confirm these associations and evaluate the impact of periodontal treatment on glycemic control in this population.