Oral health quality of life of patients with removable dentures

The subject oral health quality of life (OHQL) is gaining more importance especially concerning the incorporation of removable dentures. Objective: To examine the association between tooth survival, acceptance of removable dentures, social-economic status and OHQL. Methods: Interviews and clinical examination were conducted in 243 persons wearing removable dentures, 129 men and 114 women (mean age: 63.1±11.6). Gender, marital and social status, oral hygiene- and smoking habits and contentedness with their dentures were examined. OHQL was measured with the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI, Atchison and Dolan 1990). Results:The main issues with the highest prevalance of negative answers were question no.9: "anxiety concerning teeth problems" (50.6%) and 7: "aesthetic discontent" (32%).With advancing age functional problems with dentures became more important than aesthetic aspects. Elder people (>65 years)showed a higher GOHAI value than younger people(p=0.00), as well as people from a more rural region (p=0.00), people who were very content with their dentures (p=0.00), people who did not live alone (p=0.003) and non-smokers (p=0.002). A higher GOHAI value was also correlated to frequency of undergoing dental service (p=0.001), number of remaining teeth (p=0.00), higher quality of prosthodontic therapy (p= 0.002) and higher monthly income > 2000 € (p=0.006). Conclusions: Elder patients felt a higher OHQL inspite of having fewer teeth especially if they did not live alone, had enough income, were content with their dentures and lived in a more rural region. The fact that elders in this investigation generally felt a higher OHQL may partly be explained by the fact, that they can easier accept wearing dentures while younger people feel more handicapped.