Self-management and Oral Health Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Context: In patients with diabetes, oral health problems, such as periodontal disease, pose a significant risk and may worsen glycemic control and quality of life. However, the effectiveness of self-management interventions for improving oral health outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to evaluate evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of self-management interventions on oral health outcomes. Evidence Acquisition: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect were systematically searched through December 17, 2025, using terms related to diabetes, self-management, oral health, and RCTs. Of 419 retrieved records, four RCTs met the PICOTS criteria: patients with diabetes; oral health self-management versus usual care; and outcomes, including oral health measures, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Screening was conducted in two stages by independent reviewers. Data extraction included study characteristics, interventions, outcomes, and quality assessed using the Jadad scale. Thematic analysis was used for synthesis. Results: Self-management interventions, comprising 6 to 16 sessions of education, coaching, follow-up, and peer support, significantly improved self-efficacy, oral hygiene, periodontal status, quality of life, and glycemic control in 1219 patients with predominantly type 2 diabetes.