@article {Lopes82, author = {Mary H. Lopes and Janet H. Southerland and John B. Buse and Robb M. Malone and Rebecca S. Wilder}, title = {Diabetes Educators{\textquoteright} Knowledge, Opinions and Behaviors Regarding Periodontal Disease and Diabetes}, volume = {86}, number = {2}, pages = {82--90}, year = {2012}, publisher = {American Dental Hygienists{\textquoteright} Association}, abstract = {Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine certified diabetes educators{\textquoteright} (CDE) knowledge, behaviors and opinions about periodontal disease and diabetes. Methods: A 33 item questionnaire was distributed to CDEs who provide counseling and education services to patients with diabetes. Questions were open and closed{\textendash}ended and Likert{\textendash}scale. A total of 298 CDEs participated in the survey. Descriptive statistics were utilized. Results: Most (62\%) agreed that CDEs need to collaborate with dental professionals in disease management and 84\% indicated interest in an oral health component being added to their continuing education. Only 20\% felt confident in providing an oral health screening to their patients, while 51\% discussed oral health with their patients and 64\% said they have referred a patient to a dentist within the past year. Most (79\%) have not received formal oral health education. Conclusion: The findings indicate that CDEs are aware of and agree that there is a link between oral health and systemic health and that collaboration with the dental profession would be a positive outcome for their patients, as would oral health topics being added to their continuing education courses. By introducing inter{\textendash}professional collaboration between dental professionals and CDEs, and adding an oral health component to CE courses, CDEs{\textquoteright} ability to educate their patients regarding the oral/systemic link could improve.}, issn = {1553-0205}, URL = {https://jdh.adha.org/content/86/2/82}, eprint = {https://jdh.adha.org/content/86/2/82.full.pdf}, journal = {American Dental Hygienists{\textquoteright} Association} }