Two devices measuring HbA1c concentration are to be installed at Semmelweis University’s Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery and Stomatology which will be used in surgical interventions of diabetic patients. The devices that will also be available for use in dental screening at the partner institutions, were procured with the help of Dr. Ádám Végh, resident and the winner of this year’s fellowship programme of the Dr. András Korányi Foundation.

Dr. Ádám Végh, resident at Semmelweis University’s Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery and Stomatology has won the fellowship programme of the Dr. András Korányi Foundation. He spent the monetary reward of the recognition to purchase two HbA1c measuring devices from 77 Elektronika Kft., which he will use in his PhD research to examine diabetic patients. The successful application was supported professionally by Dr. Zsolt Németh, Director of the department.

In only two minutes, the device is able to detect haemoglobin A1c, which is the three-month average of the patient’s blood sugar level. Previously a lab test was needed and the results were available only 24 hours later. High level of haemoglobin A1c in diabetic patients undergoing dental surgery increases the chance of complications; it may cause problems with bleeding, the dental implant may cause inflammation, adverse reactions in the oral cavity or fungus may develop and the chance of developing oral tumours increase as well.

Dr. Ádám Végh is member of the Diabetes Dental Research Group headed by Dr. Dániel Végh. According to Dr. Dániel Végh, the university’s departments will have the opportunity to send patients recently diagnosed with Type I diabetes to dental screening.

“Testing is provided by the research group at specialist clinics after booking an appointment. In addition to the support of the Hungarian Diabetes Society, this project is implemented with the professional assistance of Dr. Anikó Somogyi, Dr. Péter Hermann, Dr. Péter Kempler, Dr. Péter Tóth Heyn and Dr. János Kis.”, Saif Dr. Dániel Végh.

With the procurement of the devices Semmelweis University’s Diabetes Dentistry Research Group have introduced a unique examination protocol for the dental examination and treatment of diabetic patients. The aim of the research group is to enable all newly diagnosed diabetic patients to participate in yearly dental counselling. Dr. Dániel Végh, assistant professor at the Department of Prosthodontics talked about the research group’s recent activities.

“In addition to scientific research, the research group have conducted clinical patient examinations in the field, several international articles have been published, one PhD project has been concluded and two are in progress.”, said Dr. Dániel Végh.

The research group were the first in Hungary to organise free dental counselling at diabetes events, which was made possible by the acquisition of a mobile dental screening unit within a grant application at the Faculty of Dentistry.

Dr. Dániel Végh
Photo: Bálint Barta – Students’ Union
Translation: Ágnes Raubinek