2015 Center of Excellence conference: Coordinated health care to combat diabetes

Despite advances in health care, diabetes — according to the Centers for Disease Control’s 2014 Diabetes Report Card — remains the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., and the rate continues to increase among some groups based on age, gender, education, income and race.

Addressing the roles and responsibilities of each health care team member in treating and managing this disease is the focus of Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry’s Center of Excellence conference Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. until noon.

The event, “Diabetes Teamwork: Collaboration, Coordination and Control,” is held in partnership with the National Dental Association and will focus on actionable steps to harness the collective energy of community partners and interprofessional health care providers to stem the tide of diabetes across all age groups in targeted populations.

During the conference, a multidisciplinary panel of health care providers will look at the oral-systemic link of the disease. The panel also will discuss the recent trends in the progression of diabetes, provide an overview of the current tests and key disease indicators, and discuss both traditional and alternative treatments. Conference attendees will hear an update on current research regarding the impact of diet and exercise as well as collaborative ways to promote health and enhance the effectiveness of the interprofessional team.

The conference is free and open to all physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals and health professions students.

Three hours of continuing education credit will be offered.

To register:

Visit the college’s continuing education website, and select the 2015-2016 CE courses button. Scroll to the October 17 National Dental Association and Center of Excellence Oral Health Conference, and follow the registration prompts.

The conference will be at TAMBCD in Room 134.

Infographic Description

Diabetes

The food that our body needs is called glucose. To use glucose, your body needs insulin.

Sometimes your body does not make enough insulin or the insulin does not work the way it should. Hence, glucose stays in your blood and does not reach your cells.

Eventually blood glucose levels get too high (hyperglycemia) and cause diabetes.

Two major causes of the metabolic disease

1. Type 1 diabetes, also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus — IDDM — is when the body makes too little or no insulin.
2. Type 2 diabetes, also known as Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus — NIDDM — is when the body cannot use the insulin it makes.

Prevalence

• U.S. – More than 29 million people — or 9.3 percent of the population — are estimated to have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes.
• Texas — 10.6 percent of adult Texans — more than 2.7 million individuals — have diabetes. The Texas Department of State Health Services divides the state into 11 regions. 10.1 percent of residents in Region 3 — which includes Dallas County — have diabetes.

Symptoms

• Some common symptoms include dry mouth, burning mouth or tongue, fatigue, thrush, infection, and weight loss.
• Dentists can often spot symptoms of diabetes early on, when patients exhibit red and inflamed gum tissue, and complain of bad bresath — despite regular brushing and mouthwash use.

The sugar factor

• The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons a day of added sugar for women, and no more than 9 teaspoons a day of added sugar for men.
• Amount of sugar the average American consumes each day: 19.5 teaspoons.

Treatment

Type 1 Diabetes

• Insulin injections
• Sometimes medicine by mouth
• Dietary plan
• Physical activity
• Regular check blood sugar levels
• Control blood pressure
• Monitor cholesterol levels

Type 2 Diabetes

• Diabetes medication
• Sometimes insulin injections
• Healthy food choices
• Exercise
• Self monitoring of blood glucose
• Control blood pressure
• Monitor cholesterol levels

Sources

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas Department of State Health Services, Sugar Science – University of California San Fracisco, American Dental Association, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association