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NCT Number: NCT07809477

Integrated Diabetes and Oral Health Care in Oman

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontal (gum) disease are closely related conditions that may negatively affect each other. However, oral health is not routinely integrated into diabetes self-management education. This study will evaluate whether a structured diabetes-oral health educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model can improve glycaemic control, periodontal health, self-management behaviours, and quality of life among adults with T2DM in Oman.

This multicentre randomized controlled trial will include 290 adults with T2DM. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive six individual, structured diabetes-oral health education sessions over 12 weeks in addition to usual care. The control group will continue to receive standard diabetes care and education.

Participants will be followed for 12 months. The primary outcome is change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes include periodontal health, diabetes and oral-health self-care behaviours, Health Belief Model constructs, quality of life, psychological well-being, diabetes distress, healthcare utilization, and healthcare costs. The study will also assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Exploratory components will assess previously undiagnosed periodontal disease and examine associations between periodontal changes and the oral microbiome.

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Key information

Conditions

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 Endocrine System Diseases Gingival Diseases Gingivitis Glucose Metabolism Disorders Gum Inflammation Infections Metabolic Diseases Mouth Diseases NIDDM Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Periodontal Disease Periodontal Diseases Periodontitis Stomatognathic Diseases T2DM Type 2 Diabetes

Age range

35 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an important public health problem in Oman. Periodontal disease is common among people with diabetes, and the relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease is bidirectional. Poor glycaemic control may contribute to periodontal inflammation, while periodontal inflammation may adversely affect metabolic control. Despite this relationship, diabetes education commonly focuses on glycaemic control and general diabetes self-management, with limited structured integration of oral-health education and behavioural approaches.

This study is a multicentre, two-arm randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an integrated diabetes-oral health educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). The study will recruit 290 adults with T2DM (145 participants per group) from participating diabetes clinics in Oman. Participants will be allocated to either the intervention group or the control group.

Participants assigned to the intervention group will receive six structured, individual HBM-based educational sessions, approximately 30 minutes each, delivered over 12 weeks. The intervention addresses diabetes and oral-health risk awareness; the severity and consequences of periodontal disease in people with T2DM; benefits of glycaemic control and oral hygiene; barriers to oral-health self-care and practical solutions; toothbrushing, interdental cleaning, and self-monitoring skills; and maintenance planning and relapse prevention. Sessions will include structured educational material, individualized advice, and goal-setting. Participants in the control group will continue to receive standard diabetes care and education.

Data will be collected at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months, as appropriate for each outcome. The primary outcome is change in HbA1c from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes include periodontal clinical indicators, diabetes and oral-health self-management behaviours, HBM constructs, oral health-related and general health-related quality of life, psychological well-being, diabetes distress, healthcare utilization, and direct medical costs. An economic evaluation will assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

As an exploratory component, participants will undergo periodontal assessment to estimate the prevalence of previously undiagnosed periodontal disease and examine its association with glycaemic control. The study will also explore associations between changes in periodontal status and oral microbiome profiles.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 35 years or older.
  • Confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), documented in the medical record for at least 12 months.
  • Able to understand Arabic or English.
  • Able to provide written informed consent.
  • Able to attend the scheduled educational sessions and follow-up visits.

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Cognitive impairment or severe mental illness limiting participation.
  • Active systemic infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, or HIV.
  • Use of medications that may significantly affect glucose metabolism or gingival health, such as long-term systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, phenytoin, or calcium channel blockers.
  • Severe periodontitis requiring immediate surgical intervention.
  • Participation in another diabetes or oral health intervention trial.
  • Unable to comply with the follow-up schedule.

Treatment and study plan

Health Belief Model-Based Integrated Diabetes-Oral Health Educational Intervention

Behavioral

Participants will receive an individualized Health Belief Model-based integrated diabetes-oral health educational intervention in addition to routine diabetes care. The intervention consists of six individual face-to-face educational sessions delivered over 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. The sessions address diabetes and oral health risk awareness, severity and consequences of periodontal disease, benefits of glycaemic control and oral hygiene, barriers to oral health self-care and practical solutions, brushing and interdental cleaning and self-monitoring skills, and maintenance planning and relapse prevention. Each session includes structured educational material, individualized advice, and simple goal-setting.

Standard Diabetes Education and Routine Care

Behavioral

Participants will receive standard diabetes education and routine clinical care provided by existing diabetes services. Routine education includes advice on diet, medication adherence, physical activity, and blood glucose monitoring. Participants will not receive the structured Health Belief Model-based integrated diabetes-oral health educational intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) From Baseline to 12 Months

    Time frame: Baseline to 12 months

    Change in HbA1c (%) from baseline to 12 months will be used to assess the effect of the intervention on glycaemic control. HbA1c will be measured using blood samples processed in a certified hospital laboratory. The between-group difference in change over time will be evaluated.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Probing Pocket Depth (PPD)

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months

    Probing pocket depth will be measured in millimeters (mm) using a periodontal probe at six sites per tooth. Mean probing pocket depth will be calculated for each participant. Change in mean probing pocket depth from baseline will be compared between the intervention and control groups. Lower values indicate better periodontal health.

  2. Change in Diabetes Self-Management Behaviors

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months

    Diabetes self-management behaviors will be assessed using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire. The SDSCA assesses the frequency of diabetes self-care activities over the previous 7 days. Items are scored from 0 to 7 days, with higher scores indicating more frequent performance of the assessed self-care behavior. Change in SDSCA scores from baseline will be compared between the intervention and control groups.

  3. Healthcare Utilization

    Time frame: From baseline through 12 months

    Healthcare utilization will be assessed as the number of healthcare services used by each participant during the study period, including relevant outpatient visits and other healthcare contacts recorded as part of the study. Healthcare utilization will be compared between the intervention and control groups. Higher values indicate greater healthcare resource utilization.

  4. Change in Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Assessed Using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14)

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months

    Oral health-related quality of life will be assessed using the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Each item is scored from 0 (never) to 4 (very often), producing a total score ranging from 0 to 56. Higher total scores indicate poorer oral health-related quality of life. The change in total OHIP-14 score from baseline will be compared between the intervention and control groups.

  5. Direct Medical Costs

    Time frame: Baseline through 12 months

    Direct medical costs associated with healthcare utilization will be estimated from the health-system perspective and reported in Omani Rial (OMR) per participant. Mean direct medical costs over the study period will be compared between the intervention and control groups. Higher values indicate greater healthcare costs.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Dr Fatma Sultan Al Maskari, Master, and 1st year Phd

CONTACT

[email protected]

95764646

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Oman Ministry of Health

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

Cost-Effectiveness and Implementation of Integrated Diabetes-Oral Health Care in Oman: A Health Belief Model-Based Intervention to Enhance Clinical, Behavioral, and Exploratory Oral Microbiome in Health System Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Sep 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 9, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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