Prevalence of periodontal diseases and oral health status, in children with type I diabetes in Khorasan, Iran in 2002 Dr. F. Mazhari *- Dr. M. Khordi Mood * - Dr. H. Esmaeili **, Dr. H. Tootooni *** *Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Dentistry Dept., Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. **Assistant Professor of Community Medicine and Public Health Dept., Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. *** Dentist. Abstract Background and Aim: The inflammatory changes in gingiva as well as periodontal diseases are the most common oral conditions found in diabetic patients. The objective of the present investigation was to compare the oral health and periodontal disease status in diabetic and non diabetic children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: Cases were composed of 68 registered diabetic individuals aged 5-18 years old. The control group was composed of 68 non-diabetic sex and age-matched persons, who were among the out-patient visitors of Mashhad School of Dentistry. A questionnaire was used to collect information from medical records and clinical examinations. The statistical analysis was conducted in order to assess OHI-S, PI and GI indices in each patient. Results: The mean OHI-S was 1.56±0.59 and 1.63±0.51 in diabetic and non-diabetic children respectively. The mean PI was 1.42±0.85 in diabetic and 0.71±0.54 in non-diabetic children. The mean GI was 1.20±0.45 and 0.77± 0.50 in diabetic and non-diabetic children respectively. Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding their oral hygiene status, diabetic children had higher frequencies of periodontal diseases and gingivitis compared to sex and age-matched non-diabetic controls. Therefore, it is necessary to design and promote periodontal disease prevention programs for young diabetic patients. Key words: Type I diabetes, diabetes mellitus, oral health, periodontal diseases. Correspondence Author: Pediatrics Dentistry Dept., Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. e.mail:f-mazhari@mums.ac.ir | 
