Objective: Determine the relationship between diabetes mellitus and tooth loss in adults residing in Nachaluay district, Ubonratchathani province, Thailand during the year 2010.

Material and Method: A Cross-sectional analytic study included 605 adults (130 males and 475 females), aged 20 to 86 years, of which 226 subjects did not have diabetes mellitus, and 379 people were diabetic patients. The subjects received an interview and oral examination. Data analysis was performed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results: Findings from the final multivariable logistic regression model showed that tooth loss (defined as missing ≥ 1 teeth) was associated significantly with age, diabetes mellitus, dental caries, loss of clinical attachment level 6 mm ≥ 2 sides, and use of fluoride toothpaste, with the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) being 1.067 (1.047,1.088), 1.729 (1.092,2.738), 1.149 (1.071, 1.232), 2.436 (1.575, 3.767), and 0.541 (0.321, 0.914), respectively.

Conclusion: Tooth loss was associated directly with diabetes mellitus in Thai adults. Therefore, prevention and promotion as well as early treatment of diabetes and oral diseases should be achieved to reduce occurrence, severity, and complications resulting from diabetes mellitus and tooth loss.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Tooth loss, Periodontitis, Dental caries, Thailand