2009 Volume 29 Issue 2 Pages 119-127
Given that the proportion of people over 65 years old has risen to 21.0% of the population in Japan, clinicians need to evaluate the outcomes of complete denture treatment through evaluations by dentists and patients to provide highquality treatment. The purpose of this study was to collect evaluations and clarify the relationship between the treatment and evaluations them by dentists and patients.
Twenty patients (6 male, 14 female; mean age, 78 years) wearing complete dentures were enrolled after providing informed consent. Scores for complete denture, supporting tissue, chewing function, satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) were used as factors for evaluation. These factors were evaluated at two stages in the complete denture treatment: at initial visit to the hospital (initial visit); and just before insertion of the new dentures (just before). We compared scores obtained on initial visit and just before, and calculated correlation coefficients for changes in scores.
Adjustment of the old dentures influenced all evaluations at both times. Satisfaction scores increased from initial visit to just before (p<0.05), with few exceptions. A significant negative correlation was seen between complete denture score, chewing function score and satisfaction score on initial visit and changes in scores from initial visit to just before. In cases with high evaluation of old dentures, just before scores tended to decrease. No significant correlation was apparent between evaluations by dentists and patients.
Adjusting old dentures and relationships were clarified. Disagreement of evaluations by dentists and patients suggests that both evaluations should be performed comprehensively.
