A self-administered questionnaire--an aid in managing complete denture patients

Impact of sociodemographic factors, duration of edentulism, and medical comorbidities on the mental attitudes of individuals with complete edentulism

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Understanding the attitude of elderly patients is important for successful complete denture therapy. However, data regarding the impact of sociodemographic factors, impact of medical comorbidities, and duration of edentulism on the mental attitudes of such patients are lacking.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this clinical study was to explore the association of sociodemographic factors, duration of edentulism, and medical comorbidities on the attitudes of completely edentulous patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted among 125 completely edentulous patients visiting the Department of Prosthodontics, Nepal Medical College from August 2020 to October 2020. General information including age, sex, education level, medical history, and duration of edentulism were collected during a routine clinical evaluation. The mental attitudes of the participants were categorized according to M.M. House Classification into philosophical mind, exacting mind, hysterical mind, or indifferent mind. The participants were categorized into 3 age groups: 45 to 54 years, 55 to 64 years, and 65 years and above. Similarly, they were divided into 3 categories depending upon the duration of edentulism: 0 to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, and more than 5 years. Data were entered in a statistical software program for descriptive analysis using frequency distributions, and the chi-square statistical test and the Freeman-Halton extension of the Fisher exact test were used to determine the association between categorical variables.

RESULTS

The highest number of participants was in the philosophical category (34.4%) with the fewest in the hysterical group (12%). Men had more philosophical and indifferent attitudes, whereas women were more exacting (P<.001). Those with a recent history of extraction had an increased exacting attitude (P<.001). The respondents without any comorbid diseases were more philosophical, whereas a higher percentage of respondents with different comorbid conditions were assessed to be in the hysterical category (P<.001). Significant relationships were not found between mental attitude and educational status or age (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Socioeconomic factors, duration of edentulism, and existing comorbidities had a significant impact on the attitudes of edentulous patients. The role of these factors should be assessed during the appraisal of the mental attitudes of edentulous patients.

Correlation of patient's mental attitude with age, sex, and educational level: A survey

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine any relationship, if exists, between the patient's mental attitude with age, sex, or educational qualification.

Methods:

A total of 200 patients who attended the outpatient department during a span of 1 year, for the fabrication of new complete dentures, were chosen for the study. After completing a routine case history and examination, a questionnaire was filled by the clinician as answered by the patient. Participants were evaluated and categorized based on the questionnaire and clinical experience during treatment according to a predefined classification of determining mental attitudes. Outcomes from the survey were correlated with participant gender, age, and educational status.

Results:

The male to female ratio was 83:117, out of the 200 enrolled participants. The results from the questionnaire showed that females were found to be more exacting (P = 0.007) in nature, while males, on the other hand, revealed more indifferent attitude (P = 0.02); both differences being statistically significant. Of the three age group categories: Participants in the age group of 45–54 years revealed a significant inclination toward an exacting attitude when compared with other age groups (P < 0.001). In regards to educational status, an illiterate or minimally educated group significantly outnumbered the college graduates in the indifferent attitude group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Within the limitations of this study, it could be said that the mental attitudes of patients could vary according to gender, age, and educational status, which could affect patient cooperation and satisfaction with oral rehabilitation, eventually manipulating the overall success of the treatment rendered.

Patients' knowledge and understanding of the implications of wearing dentures. Report of a survey conducted at a dental institute in the south of India

AIM

The aim of this survey was to assess the knowledge and perceptions of denture treatment among a group of patients who attended the Karnataka Lingayat Education Society's (KLES) Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka State, India.

METHOD

A questionnaire with four general questions and 14 statements/questions about denture construction and wearing was developed and piloted. Ethical approval was sought and granted. After some revisions, the questionnaire was given to all patients attending KLES over a two-month period.

RESULTS

All 423 patients who attended KLES in the two-month period completed the questionnaire. Five questionnaires were not analysed because of ambiguity in the answers. The final patient sample was 418 (207 females and 211 males, mean age 40 +/- 15.3 years) of whom 140 (33.5%) were dentate and 278 (66.5%) edentulous in either one or both jaws. Among the 278 edentulous patients, 143 (51.4%) had not worn any kind of denture and 135 (48.6%) wore dentures. There was a wide variation in the accuracy of the patients' knowledge of denture treatment. In particular, more than 20% did not know that complete denture treatment requires five or more visits, that denture wearers may experience oral pain, whether or not dentures may cause more problems than natural teeth, or that dentures may make audible clicks and cause problems when speaking.

CONCLUSION

Patient education is an essential element in successful denture treatment. It should begin prior to the treatment, to ensure that the technical capability of the clinician matches the expectations of the patient. The initial appointment needs to be used as an educational tool to raise patients' level of understanding of prosthetic rehabilitation and how the proposed treatment will meet their needs.

Construction faults, age, gender, and relative medical health: factors associated with complaints in complete denture patients

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Many practitioners will experience a situation, whereby a patient with newly fabricated complete dentures continues to experience difficulty in adapting to them. This can lead to a protracted period of discouraging "adjustment appointments" that may not result in the eventual resolution of the problem. Therefore it is often concluded that there is some patient factor, either age, gender, medical, or psychologic status that is hindering the success of treatment.

PURPOSE

This study examined a group of 100 patients who experienced ongoing difficulties with their new complete dentures, to determine possible underlying causes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted with information derived from patient records. All patients were treated by the same prosthodontist after having been referred specifically for their denture problems. Information regarding patient age, gender, medical and psychological histories, and information pertaining to the dentures at the time of presentation was derived from patient records.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis comparing age, gender, and medical and psychologic status with the number or type of patient complaint failed to show any significant relationships. Significant relationships were observed when denture design faults or the condition of a patient's mucosa were compared with patient complaints.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that in most instances, complete denture patients present with complaints only when there is a real design fault or a tissue problem.

Validity of a patient-administered questionnaire for routine otolaryngology admissions

In this study the accuracy of a questionnaire filled in by 109 parents of children admitted for routine ENT surgery was compared with the well recognized verbal clerking. A major problem in communication between doctors and parents was highlighted, as just 44% of the parents were able to state the operation their children were admitted for. The study also showed that it is impossible to rely on parents to give the information required in the form of replies to questionnaires as the sensitivity of the questions designed to recognize risk factors was poor.

Age and denture experience as determinants in patient denture satisfaction

Sixty-nine male patients participated in a self-evaluation survey measuring their satisfaction with maxillary and mandibular dentures. Patients generally had a high evaluation of their dentures, with the highest scores given to appearance. Age was not a significant predictor of denture success. Patients receiving their first dentures consistently had more difficulties in all categories of function, comfort, and appearance than patients with past experience with dentures.

Patient satisfaction with current dental condition related to self-concept and dental status

Structured interviews were administered to 168 male veterans from five locations to examine the relationship between attitudes toward dental esthetics, age, self-concept, and dental status. Results indicate the following. 1. Subjects who had a more positive self-concept rated their current dental condition higher. 2. Veterans who use dentures do not have a lower self-concept than those who have remaining natural teeth and feel more positively about their dental appearance. 3. Among the sample studied, dental appearance was considered less important than function or comfort. 4. Diminished self-concept is not associated with greater concern for dental esthetics.

Diagnostic significance of denture complaints

An inventory of denture complaints should be completed by patients who request replacement dentures prior to a diagnostic interview. Patient responses are often more spontaneous and unguarded and will reveal problems that might otherwise remain concealed. A more fruitful interview with the dentist will facilitate the information of a treatment plan that will satisfy that patient's need.

General considerations prior to relining of complete dentures

eneral considerations necessary to determine whether a complete denture reline should be attempted or a new denture constructed have been presented. Specific evaluation procedures, including the examination and diagnosis of the patient and the complete denture(s) along with a checklist of complicating factors, have been discussed. Hickey and Zarb have said: "The complicated [nature] of the conditions to be corrected makes [reline] procedures not the simple operations many patients and dentists think they are." The authors emphatically agree.