This paper reviews why doctors rarely refer their diabetic patients for a dental opinion and suggests strategies to teach them the importance of controlling periodontal disease as part of a system of joint care. A pro forma to share results and define diabetic risks for doctors, dentists and patients has been developed. Periodontal risks could be better defined if the community periodontal index of treatment needs score of 2 for calculus is divided into 2 for supra-gingival and 2* for sub-gingival types.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the British Dental Association.