Patient Satisfaction with Upper and Lower Complete Dentures: A Service Evaluation Report

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this questionnaire-based service evaluation investigation was to assess patient satisfaction with complete dentures provided in a dental teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: Patients completed the self-administered questionnaire before, immediately after, and 2-months following provision of new complete dentures. The questionnaire consisted of the following sections: Patient characteristics, current denture history and satisfaction levels for the fit of upper and lower complete dentures, chewing ability, speech, and aesthetics. Following descriptive analysis, chi-square test, student t-test, and 2-way-ANOVA were performed on satisfaction levels pre-and post-treatment in the domains of denture fit, chewing ability, speech, and appearance. Age-wise and gender-wise satisfaction level distribution along with correlations and associations between patient satisfaction levels and various factors including presenting complaint, period of edentulism, denture age, and number of previous dentures were also assessed.

Results: One-hundred and forty-seven participants, including 91 males (61.9%) and 56 16 females (38.1%) completed the study at pre-and post-complete denture provision stages. A statistically significant improvement in satisfaction scores was seen post-treatment in all domains assessed (p<0.05), with most respondents showing great satisfaction with treatment outcomes. Overall, satisfaction levels were noted as follows: Upper complete denture fit (82%), appearance (87%), speech (67%), chewing ability (39%) and lower complete denture fit (39%). A strong positive correlation was observed between the number of previous dentures used and patient satisfaction with upper complete denture fit (R=1).

Conclusion: Denture replacement positively impacts the satisfaction of patients and improves complete denture acceptance.