The aims of the study were to evaluate differences in dietary, oral hygiene 
habits and social class in children with Type I diabetes mellitus (DM), compared 
to non-diabetics, and to investigate relationship between selected caries-risk 
factors and caries experience in diabetics.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: 70 children with Type I DM and 70 age- and sex-matched 
non-diabetic controls were included in the study. Metabolic control of diabetes 
was categorized into well- to- moderately-controlled and poorly-controlled 
groups based on glycosylated haemoglobin HbA1c. The study was based on the data 
obtained from the questionnaire including information about dietary and oral 
hygiene habits, pattern of dental visits and social class. Results showed that 
the diabetic children had more frequent main meals and less snacking than their 
controls: the mean number of main meals/day was 4.33 (SD = 0.93) in the 
diabetics, and 2.53 (SD = 0.85) in the controls. Significantly less diabetics 
(43%) used sweet drinks than their controls (79%). There were no differences 
according to the frequency of toothbrushing as well as frequency of dental 
visits between the diabetics and controls, however, significantly more diabetics 
reported that they never used dental floss than non-diabetics. There were no 
significant differences in the diet, toothbrushing frequency between the 
diabetics with different metabolic control. Multiple logistic regression 
analysis showed that among caries risk associated variables only age of children 
(OR = 1.98; CI = 1.23-3.19) and level of metabolic control of diabetes (OR = 
4.65; CI = 1.28-16.89) were statistically significantly associated with high 
caries experience in the diabetics.
CONCLUSIONS: Frequent consumption of sweet drinks and snacks can influence 
caries development in children. Amongst the diabetics, the differences in caries 
prevalence can be explained by combination of biological and behavioral factors 
rather than single dietary or oral hygiene elements.