Main Article Content
Denture hygiene knowledge and practice amongst patients in a University Teaching Hospital
Abstract
Background: There are different options available for the replacement of missing teeth. These include fixed partial dentures, removable partial dentures and implants.
Aim: To assess patients' knowledge on denture hygiene and the hygiene methods used for cleaning removable partial dentures.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 203 patients attending a teaching hospital. Questionnaires were administered to these patients to obtain information on socio-demographic variables like gender, age and the level of education. Other information obtained were the duration of denture use, frequency of denture cleaning and type of material used for denture cleaning.
Results: The age of the participants ranged between 15 and 86 years, there were more Females 105(51.5%) in this study than males 98(48.3%). Almost all the participants (99.5%) had acrylic dentures. The dentures worn were mostly in the upper jaws (60%). About 41.9% had been using dentures for more than 10 years. The most commonly used denture hygiene method was the mechanical method of brushing with water, soap and brush (46.3%) and 135 (66.5%) cleaned their dentures once daily. A few patients 21(10.3%) used chemical cleaners to clean their dentures.
Conclusion: Almost all the participants employed mechanical method of denture cleansing and most had no knowledge of chemical method.
Keywords: Denture hygiene, Denture cleansing, Acrylic denture.
Aim: To assess patients' knowledge on denture hygiene and the hygiene methods used for cleaning removable partial dentures.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 203 patients attending a teaching hospital. Questionnaires were administered to these patients to obtain information on socio-demographic variables like gender, age and the level of education. Other information obtained were the duration of denture use, frequency of denture cleaning and type of material used for denture cleaning.
Results: The age of the participants ranged between 15 and 86 years, there were more Females 105(51.5%) in this study than males 98(48.3%). Almost all the participants (99.5%) had acrylic dentures. The dentures worn were mostly in the upper jaws (60%). About 41.9% had been using dentures for more than 10 years. The most commonly used denture hygiene method was the mechanical method of brushing with water, soap and brush (46.3%) and 135 (66.5%) cleaned their dentures once daily. A few patients 21(10.3%) used chemical cleaners to clean their dentures.
Conclusion: Almost all the participants employed mechanical method of denture cleansing and most had no knowledge of chemical method.
Keywords: Denture hygiene, Denture cleansing, Acrylic denture.
