Oral Health and Dental Management

Evaluating patientdentist communication and denture hygiene in edentulous patients

5^th American Dental Congress

October 05-07, 2015 Philadelphia, USA

ChungY J Park, J Dugas, C Skaggs and D Ward T

LECOM School of Dental Medicine, USA

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Oral Health Dent Manag

Abstract:

Background: Many studies have suggested that most denture patients clean their denture with brushing and water alone. However, much research is available stating that utilizing brushing with effervescent tablets provides the most effective cleaning of dentures. Research is necessary to better explain this disconnection between recommendations and actual practice of cleaning dentures. Purpose: The object of this study is to evaluate if any communication discrepancies exist between patients and dental professionals preventing optimal denture hygiene. Methods: A search conducted through four electronic databases date restricted from 2000 to January 2015 with keywords including �??denture�?� or �??cleansing�?� or �??tablet�?� or �??method�?� to identify the most effective denture hygiene method. Separate surveys were given to both denture patients and dental professionals. Results: A majority of patients and dental professionals admitted receiving and administering denture hygiene instructions, respectively. Even though most dental professionals believed there is a universal denture hygiene method, ten distinct methods were recommended and few matched with the one suggested by a review of current literature. The most popular patient method was using tablets alone although few dental professionals recommended usage of tablets alone. Interestingly, despite the nonunified method, most patients were satisfied with instructions given. Conclusion: The research concludes that denture patients may experience difficulties in achieving optimal denture hygiene due to miscommunication with their dental professionals. Possible causes may arise from their dental professional�??s less than ideal recommendations. More effective communication methods are required between patients and dental professionals, and a more unified hygiene method among dental professionals.

Biography :

Email: yoojin.chung@dmd.lecom.edu