ORAL COMPLICATIONS OF EMERGING TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS OF YOUNG - A CHALLENGE FOR PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

India is being referred to as The Global Capital of Diabetes Mellitus with increasing burden of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Asian Indians. The susceptibility of pubertal and pre-pubertal Asian Indians to develop diabetes is increasing as they are being subjected to urbanization, nutritional transition and an obesogenic environment. The pathway of oral disease and diabetes mellitus of children can be linked. Pediatric dentists with their adequate knowledge and experience can help intervene at early stages in undiagnosed patients and also help in improving the quality of life of diabetic children and adolescents. This review aims to illustrate the manifestations that can develop in children and adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It also demonstrates a potential relationship between obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its oral complications. Thus, a team of health care workers is required to work in harmony with each other to help reduce co-morbidies of the diabetic child.