Method: Data for each patient was gathered prior, during, and at one-year post denture construction. Information across three broad domains was collected to identify the success rate of the dentures: patient profile, oral health status and denture outcomes. Patient profile data included age, gender, significant medical history, and smoking history. Oral health status included a sulcus bleeding index (SBI), approximal plaque index (API), and odontogram identifying the number of remaining teeth. Denture outcome data included previous denture history, denture base material, Kennedy Classification, and denture use or non-use.
Result: Analysis of the patient profile data showed that the mean age of patients in the program was 69 years (n=70), with 32 male and 38 female patients. At initial presentation the mean SBI was 29%, and mean API was 67%. The mean number of teeth remaining was nine. One-year follow-up data at this stage is available only for the 2012 cohort of nineteen patients, of which seventeen patients are reported as still wearing their dentures. Denture non-use in the remaining two patients was due to ill-fitting dentures and poor aesthetics.
45 of the 67 maxillary dentures were complete dentures, and 33 of the 58 mandibular dentures were Kennedy class I. 34% of all dentures (43/125) had cobalt chrome frameworks.
Conclusion: This investigation has provided a patient profile and information about the type and classification of the dentures made through the RPD program at University of Sydney. Ongoing follow-up will provide insight into the outcomes of the program and highlight patient factors which may help predict denture use or non-use.