title: Improved perceived general health is observed with prosthodontic treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prosthodontic treatment affects not only oral health, but also general health. However, whether prosthodontic patients actually perceive a change in their general health has not been well studied. This study aims to compare self-reported general-health status in patients before and after prosthodontic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-reported general-health status was measured using a single-item questionnaire in a consecutive sample of 500 prosthodontic patients. Responses were recorded using a five-point scale ranging from "poor" to "excellent."
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment, patients' self-reported general-health status was slightly but statistically significantly improved. Perceived general health improved in 2.3% of patients treated with fixed partial dentures, in 11.3% of patients treated with removable partial dentures, and in 4.1% of patients treated with complete dentures. Changes in self-reported general-health status were not related to age or gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prosthodontic treatment appears to have a positive effect on perceived general health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Center for Dental and Oral Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. d.reissmann@uke.de
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Reissmann
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schierz
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Szentpétery
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: John
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000523:psychology*; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed / Q000523:psychology*; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult