Does the Level of Confidence Exhibited by Dental Students Predict the Outcome of Complete Denture Therapy?

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven final-year dental students in the year 2019 and the first edentulous patient managed by them were recruited for the study. A fourteen-item questionnaire was given to the students to assess their level of confidence just before commencement of the treatment. Questionnaire for the patients was used to assess their satisfaction both with the operator and the dentures. Clinical outcome of dentures was assessed using ten criteria. RESULTS: The average confidence level of the students was found to be 2.17 in a 4-point scale. A two-sample test indicated that there is a significant difference in the overall level of confidence between female and male students (p value = 0.004). Moreover, a nonparametric correlation analysis revealed that there is no significant correlation between the overall level of confidence of each student and patient satisfaction regarding student performance, level of satisfaction of patients regarding dentures, and the quality of dentures as assessed by the clinicians (p value = 0.545, 0.877, and 0.801, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Students' level of confidence in carrying out complete denture procedures is satisfactory. Male students exhibited a better overall level of confidence than female students. However, the level of confidence exhibited by the dental students does not predict patient satisfaction or clinical outcome.

Awareness, attitudes, need and demand on replacement of missing teeth among a group of partially dentate patients attending a University Dental Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess awareness, attitudes, need and demand on replacement of missing teeth according to edentulous space, age, gender, ethnicity, educational level and socio-economical status of the patient. RESULTS: 76.2% of the study group was opined that the missing teeth should be replaced by prosthetic means. Majority were keen in getting them replaced mainly for the comfort in mastication. Although 77.9 and 32.9% were aware of the removable prostheses and implants respectively, only 25.2% knew about tooth supported bridges as an option of replacement of missing teeth. Participants' awareness on tooth and implant supported prostheses is at a higher level. Participants' opinion on need of regular dental visit was statistically significant when gender, ethnicity and education level were considered. The highest demand for replacement of missing teeth was observed in Kennedy class I and II situations in both upper and lower arches. Demand for fixed prostheses was significantly highest in Kennedy class II in upper and lower arches. In conclusion, although removable prosthodontic options are known to most of the patients, their awareness on tooth and implant supported prostheses is also at a higher level. The highest demand for replacement of missing teeth is by patients with Kennedy class I and II situations whereas Kennedy class II being the category with highest demand for fixed prostheses. We recommend that the location of missing teeth to be considered as a priority when educating patients on the most appropriate prosthetic treatment options. Dentists' involvement in educating patients on prosthetic options needs to be improved.

Denture-induced stomatitis and associated factors in a group of patients attending a university dental hospital in Sri Lanka.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate factors associated with denture-induced stomatitis (DIS) among denture wearers and their oral and hand carriage of Candida. METHODS: Sociodemographics and denture and oral hygiene practices were investigated using an interviewer-administered questionnaire in denture wearers with DIS (n = 60) and without DIS (n = 60) selected using a convenience sampling of patients attending the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Denture and oral hygiene practices and denture quality were scored. DIS and denture hygiene were classified. Oral and hand carriage of Candida was assessed. RESULTS: Middle-aged females were more prone to DIS. The most common DIS pattern was Newton type ΙΙ. The mean age of existing denture of DIS patients was significantly higher than the control. Denture hygiene practice was significantly low in DIS patients. Poor denture hygiene practice and sleep wear of dentures were significantly associated with DIS. The risk of Candida hand carriage in a DIS patient carrying oral Candida was significantly higher than the risk of Candida hand carriage in a healthy denture wearer who carried oral Candida. CONCLUSION: Old dentures, poor denture hygiene, and sleep wear of dentures might contribute to DIS. Oral Candida in denture wearers could lead to Candida hand carriage.