title: Nutritional status assessment in complete denture wearers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relationship between oral health and the nutritional status in the elderly is complex and controversial. It has been suggested that poor oral health and a decreased ability to chew have a profound influence on food selection, diet and thereby the nutritional status of the individual. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of edentulousness and prosthetic treatment on the nutritional status of the individual.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 94 patients were selected for the study, which was conducted over a period of 16 months. The nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Form (MNA) before the complete denture treatment and after an interval of 6 months and 9 months following the treatment. The individual scores obtained for each question and the total scores at the baseline study were compared with those obtained after 6 and 9 months. Proportions were compared using chi-squared test of significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed statistically significant differences in the total MNA scores between the baseline study and after 6 and 9 months. The edentulous patients without complete dentures had significantly lower MNA scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prosthetic rehabilitation of the edentulous patients with complete dentures, along with the dietary counselling, improved the nutritional status of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Bangalore, India. nagaranjani@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nagaranjani
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: Natarajan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalavathy
authors.forename: Janakiramareddy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sridevi
authors.forename: Kumareshan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Premnath
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D003824:Denture, Complete; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status