title: Can dentures improve the quality of life of those who have experienced considerable tooth loss?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify variations in the impact of oral health on quality of life (OHQOL) among UK residents in relation to self-reported number of teeth possessed and denture status. In addition, to determine whether recourse to a removable prosthesis for those who claimed that they had experienced considerable tooth loss (having <20 teeth) was associated with quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  The vehicle for this was the Office for National Statistics Omnibus survey in Great Britain. A random probability sample of 2667 addresses was selected in a multistage sampling process. Participants were interviewed about their oral health status. The impact of oral health on quality of life was measured utilising the OHQoL-UK(W) measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 68%. Variations in OHQoL-UK(W) scores were apparent in relation to self-reported number of teeth possessed (P < 0.001) and denture status (P < 0.001). Moreover, disparities in OHQOL were apparent among those who experienced considerable tooth loss who didn't have recourse to a denture (P < 0.001). In regression analysis, those who claimed that they had <20 natural teeth but had no recourse to a denture were less than half as likely to enjoy enhanced oral health related quality of life compared to others in the population (OR = 0.46, 95% Cl 0.30, 0.71), controlling for socio-demographic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experience of considerable tooth loss without recourse to a removable dental prosthesis is an important predictor of oral health related quality of life, as captured by OHQoL-UK(W), and associated with reduced quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Periodontology and Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. mcgrathc@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bedi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003778:Dentures / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012494:Sampling Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006113:United Kingdom