Woman, 55 years of age, type 2 diabetes for 15 years. When first diagnosed, did all she could to learn everything about managing her diabetes. She even went to two complete diabetes education courses. The second she paid for on her own. In time, she started checking less, ate more and more unfriendly diabetes foods, and due to a chronic ankle problem, became more and more inactive. After losing her insurance, she then stopped taking her medications and checking her glucose, until she noticed bloody drainage on her clothes from rashes several places on her body.

13 years ago we ran an article on diabetes and dental health. Over the years we have added over 100 items on the relationship of diabetes and mouth health, including many by our feature writer, Dr. Frank Varon, DDS. 10 years ago this week he prepared his first feature on diabetes and periodontal …

In this week's Homerun Slides, understanding the importance of oral health and alternatives to surgical options for treatment.

Age- and sex-specific prevalence of diabetes: The prevalence of diabetes has been estimated by applying the WHO 1999 criteria for 13 European and 11 Asian cohorts participating in the DECODE and the DECODA studies. In Europe, the age-specific prevalence of diabetes rose with age up to 70s and 80s in both men and women.

In part 4 of this Exclusive Interview, DIC publisher Steve Freed asks Dr. Andy Rhinehart, "How would you improve the care of a patient going to a family practitioner with type 2 diabetes?"