The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of periodontal disease on quality of life in diabetics. A total of 159 dentate diabetic individuals registered at the Municipal Hospital in Itaúna, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were examined and interviewed. The clinical periodontal parameters recorded were: gingival bleeding, probing depth, and clinical attachment level. The OHIP-14 form was used to evaluate the impact of periodontal disease on quality of life. In relation to periodontal status, 15.7% of individuals were healthy, 35.2% presented gingivitis, and 49.1% periodontitis (27.7% in the mild-to-moderate and 21.4% in the advanced stages). Association between diagnosis of periodontal disease and impact on quality of life was significant in individuals with periodontitis (p < 0.001). Gingival bleeding, probing depth, and clinical attachment level > 4mm were associated with intensely negative impact on quality of life (p = 0.013, p < 0.001, and p = 0.012 respectively). Diabetics with mild-to-moderate and advanced periodontitis had more negative impact on quality of life than those who were periodontally healthy or with gingivitis.