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Original Research Article http://doi.org/10.18231/j.aprd.2020.008
IP Annals of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry, January-March, 2020;6(1):31-33 31
Assessment of elderly patient’s awareness towards prosthodontic rehabilitation and
attitude towards utilization of services- A hospital based questionnaire study
Kunal Kumar1, Vikas Vaibhav2*, Rachna Raj3, Neal Bharat Kedia4, Abhinav Kumar Singh5, Revati Singh6
1,6Senior Resident, 2Associate Professor, 3Lecturer, 4,5Professor, 1,2,6Dept. of Dentistry, 3Dept. of Public Health Dentistry, 4Dept. of
Orthodontics, 5Dept. of Conservative, 1,6Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, 2Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences,
Pavapuri, Bihar, 3Patna Dental College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, 4,5Buddha Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India
*Corresponding Author: Vikas Vaibhav
Email: sky20083@gmail.com
Abstract
Introduction: The elderly population of India is most neglected of providing dental treatment, reason being their unawareness and other
psychosocial problems. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude towards replacement of teeth among aged
patients.
Materials and Methods: A hospital based survey was done on 150 randomly selected elderly patients who reported to the department of
Dentistry. A self designed questionnaire was prepared to enter the required data along with clinical examination of patient.
Results: Majority of patients were willing for rehabilitation just to fulfill the requirement of mastication. Esthetics and phonetics part was
highly neglected. Patient compliance towards acceptance of prostheses was increased after the motivational program.
Conclusion: Prosthodontic outreach programs are needed to spread dental needs and practices among general ageing population specially
belonging to rural areas.
Keywords: Elderly, Prosthodontic, Questionnaire, Rehabilitation.
Introduction
The loss of natural teeth should always be considered as
general health issue as it influence the person’s functional,
esthetic, and other behavioral status.1 Teeth play a prime
role in the preservation of a positive self-esteem of a person.
Not only the personal behavior but the social activities can
also be disrupted by the absence of teeth. To become
edentulous apart from the diseased part, other factors also
has strong influence like the attitude, behavior and
knowledge of the concerned subject.2 The elderly
population of India is most neglected of providing dental
treatment, reason being their unawareness and other
psychosocial problems.3 In many countries, decrease in
number of edentulous patients and increase in number of
people retaining teeth for a much longer time results from
several integrated and educational programs.4 Enhancement
of knowledge regarding prosthodontic treatment which is
basically concerned with the replacement of missing teeth
and restoring oral function further increase the acceptance
of prostheses.5,6 The present study was done to assess the
knowledge of prosthodontic rehabilitation and attitude
towards replacement of teeth among aged patients.
Materials and Methods
A present survey was conducted on 150 randomly selected
elderly patients who reported to the OPD of Department of
Dentistry, Patna Medical College. A self designed
questionnaire was prepared to enter the required data from
patients who were willing to participate in the study with
full consent. It consisted of part A and B, Part A for general
information regarding patient; Part B started with patient’s
chief complaint in his/ her own words followed by questions
to assess his knowledge and attitude towards Prosthodontic
needs. A complete clinical examination of patient was done
before filling the form. All the selected participants were
completely edentulous with age more than 50 years.
Results
Table 1 depicts the number and percentage of general
information of the study group.
Table 1: Part A questionnaire results
Age:
50-60yrs- 78 (52%)
60-70yrs- 52 (34.6%)
>70yrs- 20 (13.33%)
Education:
Illiterate- 85 (56.67%)
Primary education- 18 (12%)
Till Xth-17 (11.33%)
Till XIIth-20 (13.33%)
Graduate-10 (6.66%)
Postgraduate- Nil
Gender:
Male- 108 (72%)
Female- 42 (28%)
Address:
Rural- 121 (80.66%)
Urban- 29 (19.33%)
Income:
No source- 64 (42.66%)
<5,000 – 39 (26%)
5000-10,000- 28(18.66%)
10,000-30,000- 08 (5.33%)
>30,000- 11 (7.33%)
Kunal Kumar et al. Assessment of elderly patient’s awareness towards prosthodontics…
IP Annals of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry, January-March, 2020;6(1):31-33 32
As per our result maximum patients were male in the age range of 50-60 years. Rural population visited frequently for
prosthodontic need and among them more than 50% were illiterate or less than primary education. Similarly, low socio-
economic group seems to be effected more than the other groups.
Table 2 analyse the data of Part B questionnaire calculated as number and percentage.
Table 2: Part B questionnaire results
How long have the teeth been missing?
Recently- 28 (18.66%)
More than a year- 86 (57.33%)
More than 5 year- 36 (24%)
Are you aware that missing teeth have to be replaced?
If Yes, replacement is needed for (out of 92):
a. Esthetic- 10 (10.86%)
b. Phonetics- 26 (28.26%)
c. Mastication- 56 (60.87%)
d. Combination (more than one option)- 16 (17.4%)
Yes- 92(61.33%)
No- 58 (38.66%)
Did you get them replaced before?
Yes- 36 (24%)
No- 114 (76%)
Reason for not being replaced (out of 114):
a. Not needed- 18 (15.78%)
b. Inadequate Knowledge- 58 (50.87%)
c. Financial Constraints- 28 (24.56%)
d. No support- 10 (8.77%)
Where would you prefer to go for replacement of missing teeth?
a. Private Dental Clinic- 14 (9.33%)
b. Government Hospital- 116 (77.33%)
c. Dental College- 05 (3.33%)
d. Others- 15 (10%)
Our study shows that predominately patients were without
teeth since more than a year. Majority of patients were
willing for rehabilitation just to fulfill the requirement of
mastication. Esthetics and phonetics part was highly
neglected. Inadequate knowledge was the prime reason for
not undergoing rehabilitation followed by financial
constraints. Government hospital was suggested as a best
place to replace teeth. Patient compliance towards
acceptance of prostheses was increased after the
motivational program.
Discussion
Like the general health, oral health is also necessary for
general well being of patient. Replacement of absent teeth is
must to maintain oral functions. Awareness among general
population is necessary to maintain overall oral health of
society.7 Although government is taking several steps in
expanding dental care facilities even in villages, but
unfortunately we still lacking behind in this regard, the
reason may be high degree of illiteracy and financial
constraints of persons belonging to rural areas.8
As per our results maximum patients were male in the
age range of 50-60 years which is in concordance with other
study of Dental College, Belgaum. The reason proposed was
dental health is underprivileged among geriatric patients,
although they extensively use medical facilities.2 More than
80% of patient visited were belonging to rural areas for
prosthodontic need as dental facilities are not provided at
the village health centers. Among them more than 50% were
illiterate or less than primary education and only about 20%
were with some degree. Similarly, low socio-economic
group seems to be effected more than the other groups.
Our study shows that predominately patients (more than
75%) were without teeth since more than a year. 24% were
without teeth and any denture for more than 5 years, which
clearly indicates the need of awareness strategies for old
aged patients belonging to rural areas. Majority of patients
(60%) were willing for rehabilitation just to fulfill the
requirement of mastication. Esthetics and phonetics part was
highly neglected. Similar results were also obtained by
Shigli and Rastogi et al.5,7 This also indicates that geriatric
population gives less priority to esthetics and more
importance to rehabilitation of function i.e. mastication.
Only 24% were previously got denture that too from local
dental shop but not aware of their exact degree and were not
satisfy with the quality. 76% were the first time denture
wearers. Among these 76% patients the reason for not being
replaced was inadequate knowledge (50%) followed by
financial constraints (24%). Even 15 % were in favor that it
was not needed and 8% were not having any kind of family
support which is the matter of concern as geriatric patient
should get necessary dental facilities at nearby health
centers. 77% of patients suggested Government hospital as a
best place to replace teeth. Raj et al in their study also
confirm that patients were interested in taking dental
treatment from Dental College as compared to private
clinics due to financial issues.6 Patient compliance towards
Kunal Kumar et al. Assessment of elderly patient’s awareness towards prosthodontics…
IP Annals of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry, January-March, 2020;6(1):31-33 33
acceptance of prostheses was increased after the
motivational program.
Further studies are needed to address dental issues
among geriatric patients and who have limited financial
resources. Government should also put insights into such
issues noticed by the studies reported in literature. Dentists
should also influence and provide knowledge to patients to
influence their attitudes towards prosthodontic
rehabilitation.
Conclusion
Majority primary health care centers in rural areas of India
are devoid of any assistance in dental treatment. For the
same reason people are unaware of dental health importance
and treatment options. Prosthodontic outreach programs are
needed to spread dental needs and practices among general
ageing population specially belonging to rural areas.
Source of Funding
None.
Conflict of Interest
None
References
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How to cite: Kumar K, Vaibhav V, Raj R, Kedia NB,
Singh AK, Singh R. Assessment of elderly patient’s
awareness towards prosthodontic rehabilitation and attitude
towards utilization of services- A hospital based
questionnaire study. IP Ann Prosthodont Restor
Dent. 2020;6(1):31-3.