Development of Educational Material to Support Oral Health Behaviors in Persons with Diabetes in Japan: Part 1. Dentists' Evaluations, Efforts, and Expectations

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Background: Diabetes and periodontal disease have a bidirectional relationship. Support for oral health behaviors (OHBs) among persons with diabetes (PWDs) is crucial. Given the limited educational materials on oral health, we developed a draft of the material through interprofessional collaboration.Purpose: To clarify dentists' evaluations of educational material supporting OHBs of PWDs, explore dentists' efforts to support OHBs of PWDs, determine their expectations of nurses, and utilize these findings to develop educational material.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Japan using a questionnaire regarding the draft educational material and interviews with 20 dentists in Survey 1, based upon which the draft material was revised. In Survey 2, a questionnaire regarding the revised material was administered, and interviews were conducted with three additional dentists.Results: Dentists evaluated the revised material as generally appropriate. There were several comments on the item on dental prostheses, but no proposed revisions were presented. Dentists' efforts emphasized the significance of supporting PWDs in understanding the importance of diabetes treatment and the greater need for OHBs, understanding and considering the diverse conditions of PWDs, and helping PWDs understand information about OHBs and the importance of implementing OHBs. Dentists expect nurses to serve as intermediaries, motivate PWDs, and foster the approachability of dental treatment. These aspects were confirmed to be included in the educational material.Conclusion: The educational material was evaluated as generally appropriate and some of the items were further developed based on the opinions of dentists. It is important to continue reviewing the feedback from PWDs.