Influence of the dental prosthetic status on self-perceptions of health and treatment needs: A cross-sectional study of middle-aged adults with chronic disease.

Fbm Maia,Kgo Scudine,Chsm Freitas,Jp De Sousa,Fc Sampaio,Fds Forte,Et De Sousa

doi:10.4317/jced.54783

Abstract

BackgroundSubjective aspects of dental prosthesis need in middle-aged adults are poorly explored, especially when the population presents chronic diseases. Objectives: To investigate if the use and necessity of dental prosthesis influence the self-perceptions of health and dental treatment need in middle-aged adults with chronic diseases.Material and MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed in 210 middle-aged adults. Socio-demographic aspects, dental services use, oral and general perceptions of health, dental treatment need and OIDP were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. One trained dentist evaluated the use and necessity of dental prosthesis. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression (p<0.05).ResultsThe use of dental prosthesis showed a proportion of 2.2:1 for upper to lower arch. Dental prosthesis need was largely prevalent (90 and 95% in upper and lower arch, respectively). The self-perceptions of dental treatment need and oral health were associated with the use and necessity of dental prosthesis (p<0.05), which could not be observed in relation to the general self-perception. The adjusted model demonstrated that the subjective necessity of dental treatment was 16.04 (1.92-133.7) fold higher in individuals with necessity of rehabilitation in the lower arch. Besides, a positive self-perception of oral health (satisfied) was 2.59 (1.38-4.85) more expressive in individuals that used a dental prosthesis in upper arch.ConclusionsThe self-perception of oral health was influenced by the use of maxillary dental prosthesis in individuals with chronic disease. Moreover, individuals were more likely able to perceive treatment need when the lower jaw was affected by tooth loss. Key words:Tooth loss, epidemiology, personal satisfaction, aged, chronic disease.

Highlights

Despite the global trend of tooth loss reduction over the last decades, the edentulism is still high in many parts of the world [1]
From a public health point of view, the edentulism can be considered a social marker of oral diseases experienced over the time, reflecting a legacy of an assistance model based on mutilating practices [4]
The scientific literature has demonstrated that subjective indicators could act as predictor factors of individuals’ prosthetic status [14]; there is no consistent information about the subjective aspects on the necessity of dental prosthesis in a representative sample of middle-adults with chronic conditions

Summary

Introduction

Despite the global trend of tooth loss reduction over the last decades, the edentulism is still high in many parts of the world [1]. Since the broad comprehension of patients during each phase of life is needed to monitor and control risk factors of illness, the investigation of personal perception of health should be considered as an essential part of the caring in public health [11] This perspective includes an integral caring of individuals into a social, cultural, and historical context. The scientific literature has demonstrated that subjective indicators could act as predictor factors of individuals’ prosthetic status [14]; there is no consistent information about the subjective aspects on the necessity of dental prosthesis in a representative sample of middle-adults with chronic conditions This field study investigated if the use and necessity of dental prosthesis influence the self-perceptions of health, treatment need and Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) in middle-aged adults with chronic disease. Individuals were more likely able to perceive treatment need when the lower jaw was affected by tooth loss

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Conclusion