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Developing a schedule of normative denture treatment need.
G A McNaugher1, I C Benington, R Freeman
1Armagh and Dungannon Health and Social Services Trust, Belfast.
Gerodontology
|January 30, 2002
Summary
This study assessed a new schedule for determining denture treatment needs in older adults. The schedule showed good reliability but requires further validation for subjective denture assessments.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Dentistry
- Dental Public Health
- Prosthodontics
Background:
- Assessing denture treatment needs in older populations is crucial for maintaining oral health and quality of life.
- Existing methods may lack comprehensive validation for normative needs assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability and validity of a novel schedule designed to determine normative denture treatment needs among older adults.
- To establish the clinical utility of this assessment tool in community settings.
Main Methods:
- The study employed a multi-faceted design including inter-examiner reliability (criterion validity) and test-retest reliability assessments.
- Content and face validity of the schedule were also evaluated.
- Data collection occurred in both a Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and a community setting.
Main Results:
- The schedule demonstrated good inter-examiner and test-retest reliability when used as an index.
- Challenges were identified in subjective assessments of denture quality and design, leading to modest agreement on stability, retention, and occlusal balance.
- Preliminary findings indicate potential utility in community-based assessments.
Conclusions:
- The developed schedule shows promise for assessing normative denture treatment needs in older adults within community settings.
- Further research is necessary to enhance the validity of subjective components and confirm its overall efficacy.
- This preliminary work supports the schedule's potential as a valuable tool in geriatric dental care.