ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the elderly edentulous and denture user population in the vicinity of the institution qualitatively and quantitatively; to estimate the number of edentulous patients requiring dentures and the factors depriving them of the complete denture rehabilitation; and to qualitatively analyze the quality, make and the use of dentures in the denture users of the community
Subjects and Methods: Total 600 [50% male and 50%females] subjects with the age of more than 60 years, from dental camps and old age homes, were randomly selected for the study. The edentulous and denture wearer groups were separately interviewed with a leading questionnaire by qualified dental officers and prosthodontists. The dentures and oral conditions of the denture wearer group were assessed. The data was compiled and analyzed
Results: In the edentulous group, 402 [67%] subjects were without dentures out of a total of 600 subject. There was no significant difference between males and females. The mean edentulous period was 5.5 years. As many as 254 [63%] people had remained deprived of complete denture treatment due to their financial constrains. Also 56 [14%] subjects had problems of transportation and care taker with 44 [11%] unaware of the procedure, time schedule and importance of complete dentures and its beneficial advantages on the overall health. There were 48 [12%] had decision-making problems and dependent on the immediate family members and caretakers for their health problems. In the denture users group out of 198, 90 [45%] were unsatisfied with their denture with 32 [16%] having their made by quacks [unqualified denturists]. As many as 67 [34%] of the dentures were incorrectly prepared in terms of material, retention, stability, support, extensions and occlusion. 9 [5%] people were diagnosed of suffering from denture related stomatitis, epulis fissuratum, candidiasis and hyperplasia
Conclusions: Considering the large number of untreated edentulous patients, and the many those with poor quality complete dentures it is suggested to; plan immediate strategies by healthcare providers to make oral Healthcare and quality denture provision service available to the unpreviliged section of the community, plan and organize periodic workshops, treatment and evaluaton camps and concession in treatment cost, and bring awareness and encouragement for denture rehabilitation by qualified dental practitioners through frequent visits to these peoples