The prevalence of Candida albicans populations in the mouths of complete denture wearers.

Using imprint cultures, the prevalence of oral candidosis and the frequency of isolation of Candida albicans and its density in oral mucosal sites and denture surfaces was determined in 190 healthy dentate subjects and 230 complete denture wearers. Candida colonization was 36.8% and 78.3% in healthy dentate and complete denture wearers patients, respectively. In the healthy dentate subjects the tongue, palate and cheeks, and in complete denture wearers additionally the upper and lower dentures, were the most frequently and densely colonized oral sites. Oral carrier rate and density of C. albicans were both higher in the denture wearers diabetic group than in the control non-diabetic group. Smoking was associated with an increase in the frequency and density of the yeast in denture wearers. Attention to these predisposing factors could reduce the incidence of oral candidosis particularly in immunocompromised patients.