Evaluation of psychological guidance impact on complete denture wearer's satisfaction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of psychological intervention on edentulous patients' satisfaction with complete clinically satisfactory complete dentures. The survey was conducted in China Medical University involving 84 individuals receiving complete dentures at this institution from August 2013 to March 2014. Participants were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups consisting of 42 subjects, respectively. In the intervention group, individuals received oral health education and psychological intervention before and after the whole process. In the control group, 42 cases received doctor's regular advice after treatment. Satisfaction regarding aesthetic, speech, mastication, retention and comfort was rated in the first and third month after prosthesis treatment. Patients overall aesthetic, speech, mastication and retention were significantly improved in both intervention and control groups in 3months later after prosthesis treatment when compared with the first month (P<0·05). No significant difference existed for comfort in control group. Patient scores on aesthetic, speech, mastication and retention at both first and third month evaluations (P<0·05) differed between the control and intervention groups. However, there was no difference for their scores related to comfort (P>0·05) in first and third month. The study concludes that psychological intervention plays a significant role in improving patient satisfaction with complete dentures.