International Journal of Clinical Dentistry ISSN: 1939-5833 Volume 15, Number 3 © 2022 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. DENTAL CARIES AND SALIVARY FLOW RATE IN DIABETIC CHILDREN: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE Sami Assiri 1 , Omar Abd El Sadek El Meligy 1,2 , Ibtesam Alzain 1 , and Nada Bamashmous 1 1 Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2 Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt ABSTRACT Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered to be the most common chronic disease in childhood which has a strong impact on their well-being and general as well as oral health. Some unique changes in the oral environment, that jeopardize the oral health, need to gain more attention from health care providers and community. Aim: To overview the available literature regarding dental caries experience and salivary flow rate in type I diabetic children. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was performed for English scientific papers using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Saudi digital library. Search terms used were Diabetes Mellitus, Oral Health, Dental Caries, Saliva and Diabetic Children. Additional references were included from the reference list of the selected studies about diabetes mellitus and its relationship to oral health. Review Results: Fifty-one papers were obtained from the electronic search. Multiple studies confirmed that type 1 diabetes mellitus has a negative impact on dental caries and salivary flow rate. While other studies found no difference between diabetic children and non-diabetic children regarding dental caries and salivary flow rate. Conclusion: This review demonstrates the effect of type I DM on dental caries and salivary flow rate. The effect of type I DM on caries experience is still not clear with many conflicting results. On the other hand, the effect of diabetes is decisive with significant changes in saliva properties leading to an impact on the oral environment. Clinical Significance: To provide updated knowledge about the effect of type I DM on oral health and establish guidelines for health care providers and researchers. Keywords: children, diabetes mellitus, dental health, dental caries, saliva, review  Corresponding Author: Dr. Omar Abd El Sadek El Meligy, Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail: omeligy@kau.edu.sa