COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF COMPLETE DENTURE CLEANLINESS AND AFTER CARE HABITS AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS ATTENDING PRIVATE CLINICS IN A NORTHERN INDIAN CITY; AN (QUESTIONNAIRE BASED) ORIGINAL RESEARCH STUDY

Abstract

Background and Aim: The long term success of most of the removable prostheses depends on their hygiene and maintenances. Poorly maintained prosthesis eventually leads to tissue abuse and other related dilemmas. The present questionnaire based study was conducted to evaluate complete denture cleanliness and after care habits among elderly patients attending private clinics in a northern Indian city. Materials & Methods: This study was outlined, planned and executed on questionnaire ideology. Authors targeted 50 dental clinics of Meerut city, India for their responses. A pre formed questionnaire have been sent to practitioners by their email addresses and requested to respond the same within 30 days. The questionnaire comprised of 8 questions regarding complete denture hygiene, knowledge and other interrelated factors. All practitioners were requested to provide data about their own experiences and opinion regarding complete denture hygiene measures used by their patients. Results: Out of total 50 practitioners, males were 41 and females were 9. Total 6 practitioners were in the age range of 31-35 years. P value was significant for this age group (0.01). Total 12 private dental practitioners stated that their complete denture patients were cleaning the dentures by tooth brush and tooth paste. Total 7 private dental practitioners responded that their complete denture patients were cleaning the dentures by keeping it into cleansing tablet solution. 14 practitioners stated that their complete denture patients cleaned the denture only once in two/three days. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, authors concluded that the overall status of complete denture cleanliness and after care was at fair level. These inferences were solely based on the responses obtained from private dental practitioners. Variable frequencies of denture cleaning were also seen ranging from daily cleaning to highly irregular cleaning.