Māori communities call for dental care in diabetes management

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-06-06 00:01

New Zealand

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Untreated gum disease and one of its main risk factors, diabetes, both disproportionately affect Māori. Researchers held wānanga with 26 adult patients enrolled with an iwi Māori primary health organisation in Porirua, to learn what was important to them in diabetes management and oral health care. Barriers included costs and wait times for dental treatment, and lack of early information about links between diabetes and oral health. However, the authors say there are opportunities to improve, with the participants wanting a whānau approach that involved the community in health education, and the inclusion of oral health in medical consultations for diabetes.

Media release

From:

Diabetes and periodontal disease are two chronic diseases that disproportionately impact Māori. This kaupapa Māori research used wānanga to engage with the Porirua community and capture the aspirations of Māori adults with diabetes and their whānau. They identified several barriers in current care, and opportunities to integrate oral healthcare into diabetes management. The aspirations of whānau highlighted the need for improved access to education and information, plus a connection to te ao Māori.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: University of Otago, Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, Ora Toa Primary Health Organisation

Funder: This research project was funded by the Health Research Council: Ngā Kanohi Kitea Community Development Grant.

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