Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of xerostomia among patients attending an undergraduate clinic for provision of dentures and to investigate the relationship between xerostomia and oral hygiene.
Methods: One hundred and eighty denture wearers (80 male and 100 female, age 42-80, mean age 65 years) attending the clinic of Prosthodontics, in the Dental School of the University of Athens completed a questionnaire asking questions related to xerostomia and related medical conditions. Patients were examined and cleanliness of teeth was determinedusing a modified Debris Index. Cleanliness of complete dentures was determined using the same index.
The relationship between xerostomia and plaque deposits on natural teeth and complete dentures was determined using odds ratio.
Results: The total number of patients with xerostomia was 120. Fifty two had idiopathic xerostomia (no related systemic diseases) and 68 xerostomia with related systemic diseases.
There was a correlation between xerostomia and plaque deposits in partial denture wearers (odds ratio 1.65). There was also a correlation between xerostomia and hygiene of complete dentures (odds ratio 1.42).
Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of xerostomia in the patient population. There was a correlation between xerostomia and oral hygiene.