Knowledge of prosthodontic treatment among denture-wearers and non-denture-wearers attending a dental institute in India: a survey report.

OBJECTIVE

Knowledge of subjects regarding prosthodontic treatment may play a role in their acceptance of the prostheses. The purpose of this survey was to assess the knowledge of prosthodontic treatment among the denture-wearers and non-denture-wearers reporting to the Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum.

METHODS

A self-designed closed-ended questionnaire containing 14 questions was designed. Four-hundred and nineteen subjects aged between 25 and 65 years were surveyed over a period of 2 months. Collected data were statistically analysed using chi-squared test at a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

From the 419 subjects surveyed, 140 subjects (33.4%) were dentate and 279 subjects (66.6%) were edentulous either in the maxillary, mandibular or both arches. Among the 279 edentulous subjects, 143 (51.3%) did not use any kind of prosthesis. There was a statistically significant difference in knowledge regarding the replacement of teeth by artificial means, the number of visits required for the provision of a complete denture, problems with dentures among subjects using and not using them (p < 0.001) whereas no significant difference was found among the subjects regarding aesthetics with dentures and socializing with friends.

CONCLUSION

Attempts should be made to raise the level of knowledge of both denture-wearers and non-denture-wearers reporting to the Institute for any dental treatment.