Abstract:
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 270 elderly patients who got complete dentures from Jaturapakpiman district hospital, Roi-et Province, Thailand. The study had 3 objectives: (1) To determine satisfaction of the elderly after complete denture insertion related to oral health impact profile (OHIP) and questions related to satisfaction of upper and lower denture; (2) To assess the oral hygiene behavior and denture care after the complete denture insertion; (3) To identify the factors associated with satisfaction and oral health impact after denture insertion. Dental nurses and interviewers were trained to administer the standardized questionnaire, Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) 14 questions and 14 questions related to satisfaction of upper and lower denture were use for measurement tool, Data collection was conducted in February and March 2010, by face-to-face questionnaire interviews. Frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were used to describe demographic data, oral hygienic behaviors and denture care. To assess associations between dependent and independent variables, Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. The average age was 71.55 years, 140 persons were male (51.9%). Married patients were 157 persons (58.1%). 69.3% were primary education. 80.0% of patients were in agriculture and their family income were less than 1,000 baht/month (64.8%), OHIP and satisfaction scores were positively and significantly correlated (Spearman rho = 0.669, p<0.001). Gender and educational level were generally statistically significantly associated with OHIP and satisfaction scored (p<0.05), but directions of these associations were not regular. Whisky drinking was generally associated with lower scores; the opposite was true for carbonated beverage drinking. Smoking was consistently and significantly associated with lower scores. Using water to clean dentures was associated with lower scores. Removing and soaking dentures in water showed different directions of association with different scores. Unexpectedly, not removing dentures at bedtime was associated with higher satisfaction scores. Previous use of dentures was associated with higher satisfaction scores. Further research is needed to explain why some observed associations were not regular, or showed unexpected directions. Recommendation in tooth loss protection for the elderly, oral health promotion and prevention, oral hygiene instruction and oral health education. And methods of denture care; handle dentures with great care to avoid accidentally dropping them, brush and rinse dentures daily, clean with a denture cleaner.
