Assessment Of Denture Hygiene Knowledge and Practices Among Complete Denture Wearers Reporting to a Tertiary Care Dental Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess the denture hygiene knowledge and practices among complete denture wearers.
Methods: The study was conducted in Prosthodontics department, Foundation University College of Dentistry from August 2024 to January 2025. A total of 160 complete denture wearers were selected fulfilling the criteria using non-probability consecutive sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire comprising of questions related to demographics, denture characteristics, and denture hygiene habits was distributed among complete denture wearers. Each question was scored and categorized to calculate the overall denture hygiene knowledge score of each patient. Data was entered and analysed in SPSS 21.
Results: A total of 160 patients were selected with a mean age of 64.68 ± 5.6 years. Out of these, 79 (49.38%) were males and 81 (50.63%) were females. The score obtained by the study participants ranged from 9 to 27 with the mean denture hygiene knowledge and practices score of 17.08 ± 5.5. A significant association was found between level of education, denture duration and socioeconomic status with that of hygiene score (p value <0.001).
Conclusion: A large proportion of denture wearers were found to have poor hygiene practices and little knowledge regarding proper denture cleansing. A strong association among low socioeconomic status, rural setting, and deficient denture oral hygiene reinforces systematic obstacles to denture care like limited dental provision and financial insecurity.
Keywords: Complete Denture, Denture Hygiene, Edentulous, Knowledge, Practices