1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Humans are susceptible to a variety of diseases, including oral diseases. Illnesses receive little attention over the years, despite their substantial social and economic costs, and thus remain a neglected aspect of global health (Dent Oral Epidemiol 2016).

Oral health is described as the absence of mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, dental problems and sores, periodontal (gum) disease, dental caries, tooth loss, and other chronic diseases that restrict a person's ability to bite, chew, smile, communicate, and maintain psychosocial health (Dent Oral Epidemiol 2016).

Oral diseases can cause severe functional limits, irritation, and pain, leads to physical, emotional, or social disability, damage, and incapacity. As a result, these disorders have a major influence on the sufferer's quality of life (Dent Oral Epidemiol 2016)

Diabetes mellitus is a medically and genetically diverse set of metabolic disorders marked by an uncontrolled rise in blood sugar levels (Mealey et al 2010). Periodontitis is currently regarded the sixth consequence of diabetes, in addition to the other micro and macro vascular problems (Löe 2012). Diabetes mellitus and Dental Disease have a bilateral link, according to studies (Boyd, Dwyer, Papas 2013).

Diabetes is a developing global condition that affects 5% of the world's population (King, Aubert, Herman 2016). According to King et al (2016) Diabetes is predicted to be on the rise at pandemic proportions, particularly in emerging countries. Over 35 million people in India have diabetes, making it the world's diabetes capital (Purty et al 2018).

Nigerians have a larger waist size and waist-to-hip ratio, indicating a higher level of central obesity (Raji , Seely, Arky, Simonson 2019). They also have more fat deposits and have higher insulin intolerance for any given body mass index (Chandalia et al 2014). This deformity is thought to be a significant contributing factor to the increased occurrence of Type-2 Diabetes.

According to the World Diabetic Federation, Nigeria as total diabetic population was 20 million in 2012 and is expected to reach 70 million by 2030 (Sicree, Shaw, Zimmet 2012). Taking Ibadan into account, the prevalence of diabetes has risen from 1.8 percent in 1984 to 4.5 percent in 2012 (Sicree, Shaw, Zimmet 2012). Diabetes is a growing concern around the world, and the general public is uninformed of the oral and systemic consequences of the disease.

In Nigeria today many adults’ especially diabetic patients lack the adequate knowledge and perception of oral hygiene which has led to dental diseases. It is important that hospitals and non-governmental organizations create awareness on oral hygiene especially diabetic patients.

Illiteracy, a lack of understanding and perception of dental hygiene, financial constraints, ignorance, and a lack of competent instruction are all factors (Greenberg and Glick 2016).

Even though extensive studies had been carried out in various populations worldwide regarding the knowledge and perception of oral health care among diabetic patients, only limited studies have been done in Ibadan (Apoorva, Sridhar, Suchetha 2013).

It was proved that diabetic subjects manifested relatively higher prevalence and severity of periodontal disease this as a result of poor knowledge of oral hygiene. It is on this the study centers on knowledge and perception of oral health care among diabetic patients attending ring road state hospital Ibadan Oyo state

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Many dental health problems, such as scurvy and periodontal disease, have been created by a lack of understanding about the perception and knowledge of oral health care and dental illness. Diabetic individuals have been found to have periodontal pockets, which have been linked to poor dental hygiene.

Lack of good Oral hygiene practices have been recognized as a potential predisposing factor for the development of dental problems in diabetic patients. Diabetic individuals are more likely to engage in harmful behaviours such as forgetting to brush, which can lead to dental problems. All of these things can lead to the creation of acid, which eats away at the enamel

The general health of diabetic individuals with dental illness is jeopardized, and as a result, dental treatment is critical. It is therefore critical to establish correct oral hygiene habits in diabetic patients in order to avoid dental disorders and promote healthy tooth growth, as well as to assess diabetic patients' knowledge and perceptions of oral health care at ring road State Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major objective of the study is to examine knowledge and perception of oral health care among diabetic patients attending ring road state hospital Ibadan Oyo state. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1) To assess the knowledge and perception of oral hygiene among diabetic patients attending state hospital Ibadan Oyo state

2) To assess the level of practice of oral hygiene among diabetic patients

3) To examine the dental problems obtainable in diabetic patients attending state hospital Ibadan Oyo state

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1) What is the level of knowledge and perception of oral hygiene among diabetic patients attending state hospital Ibadan Oyo state?

2) What is the level of practice of oral hygiene among diabetic patients?

3) What are the dental problems obtainable in diabetic patients attending state hospital Ibadan Oyo state?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

HO: Knowledge of oral health care will not help improve the health of diabetic patients attending ring road state hospital

H1: Knowledge of oral health care will help improve the health of diabetic patients attending ring road state hospital

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will be of profound benefits to provide information about knowledge and perception of oral health care among diabetic patients. It is also expected that the results of this study would produce relevant material for scholarly discourse in dental sciences. This study would also be of immense benefit to students and scholars who are interested in developing further studies on the subject matter

1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study is restricted to knowledge and perception of oral health care among diabetic patients attending state hospital Ibadan Oyo state

1.8 DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS

DIABETES: Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high

KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge is a familiarity or awareness, of someone or something, such as facts, skills, or objects contributing to ones understanding

ORAL HEALTH CARE: Oral health refers to the health of the teeth, gums, and the entire oral-facial system that allows us to smile, speak, and chew. Some of the most common diseases that impact our oral health include cavities (tooth decay), gum (periodontal) disease, and oral cancer.

PERCEPTION: Perception is the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the presented information or environment. All perception involves signals that go through the nervous system, which in turn result from physical or chemical stimulation of the sensory system