Diabetes mellitus is strongly associated with a range of oral complications, including periodontal disease, alveolar bone loss, impaired healing, xerostomia, and opportunistic infections. Early detection of these conditions is essential for preventing advanced oral pathology and improving systemic metabolic outcomes. This integrative review synthesizes interdisciplinary evidence published between 2010 and 2023 to explore how nursing, radiology, and dentistry contribute to the early identification of diabetes-related oral complications. A comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, JADA archives, and Scopus was conducted, and studies were narratively analyzed to extract thematic patterns across the three disciplines.

Findings highlight the critical role of nursing in early symptom recognition, patient education, and referral initiation; the diagnostic value of radiologic imaging, particularly cone-beam computed tomography, in detecting subtle periodontal and osseous changes; and the central role of dentistry in clinical diagnosis and management of early manifestations. Despite strong evidence supporting the oral–systemic connection, care pathways remain fragmented, leading to missed opportunities for prevention and early intervention. The review proposes an integrated interdisciplinary framework that unites nursing-led screening, radiologic evaluation, and dental diagnostic expertise to enhance early detection and improve oral-systemic health outcomes for diabetic patients.

Overall, the evidence supports the need for structured interprofessional protocols, improved communication pathways, and enhanced training across healthcare disciplines. Implementing coordinated models of care may reduce diagnostic delays, strengthen preventive strategies, and contribute to better glycemic control and overall patient wellbeing.