Knowledge of removable partial denture wearers on denture hygiene.
BACKGROUND
Regular good denture hygiene by individuals with removable partial dentures (RPDs) is an important component of oral health and in the prevention of further dental problems. These individuals should be provided with advice on the importance of denture care and be aware of this information.


OBJECTIVE
To establish deficiencies in patient knowledge surrounding denture hygiene by RPD wearers.


METHODS
The study was undertaken as an audit. Data was collected from April 2012 to October 2012 via a questionnaire completed by 196 RPD wearers attending as patients at the University Dental Hospital Wales and the dental units at St David's Hospital and Cynon Valley Hospital. The audit criterion was patients with RPDs should have knowledge of denture hygiene, with the standard set at 100%.


RESULTS
While 91.8% of participants stated they were provided with instructions on denture hygiene when provided with their current prosthesis, 60.2% were shown to have less than an appropriate level of denture cleanliness, with 9.2% reporting that they slept wearing their prosthesis.


CONCLUSIONS
The audit criterion and standard set were not achieved. A lack of knowledge surrounding denture hygiene was demonstrated among participants. As a part of the audit process the health education of RPD wearers' hygiene needs to be improved and awareness levels of the whole dental team needs to be raised. All partial dentures should receive information and regular reinforcement of key dental hygiene messages.
Cardiff University, School of Dentistry, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XY.
P
P
Milward
D
D
Katechia
M Z
MZ
Morgan
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002858:Chromium Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D019230:Dental Audit; D003729:Dental Care; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003820:Denture Cleansers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health / Q000145:classification; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000145:classification; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; D003820:Denture Cleansers; D014100:Toothpastes