Overview
- Analysis of 911 patients at Guy's Dental Hospital found that among those without a prior diagnosis, 35% had HbA1c levels consistent with diabetes or prediabetes.
- The recommended chairside test is a non-fasting, finger-prick HbA1c check that returns results in about six minutes.
- Researchers advise offering the test to patients with risk factors such as older age, higher BMI, or gum disease, which was present in 83% of the cohort.
- Elevated results would trigger referral to a GP for full assessment, with study authors noting many patients were unaware of their high HbA1c.
- The British Dental Association welcomed the approach but said it will stall without government investment and clear referral pathways, with national estimates pointing to 1.3 million undiagnosed type 2 cases and over six million with prediabetes.