[Evaluation of new complete denture treatment by dentists and patients]

With an increase in the aged population in Japan, it is important that clinicians evaluate the outcome of complete denture treatment based on evaluation by dentists and patients to provide high-quality treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the evaluation and to clarify the relationship between them by dentists and patients.

Forty patients wearing complete dentures were selected, after obtaining informed consent. Scores of complete denture, supporting tissue, chewing function, satisfaction and QOL were the factors used for evaluation. These were evaluated at four stages in complete denture treatment: at the initial visit, before insertion of new dentures (just before), first visit after insertion of new dentures (1st visit) and 1 month after insertion. We compared scores obtained just before and at the 1st visit using t-test, and analyzed changes in scores with correlation coefficient. In addition, the relationship between dentists and patients was analyzed with kappa statistic.

Evaluation of the new denture was influenced by the evaluation of the old denture. In case of high evaluation of old dentures, evaluation of new dentures tended to decrease. Conversely, in case of low evaluation of the old dentures, evaluation of new dentures tended to increase (p < 0.01) . There was no significant correlation between the evaluation by the dentists and the patients.

Changes after wearing new dentures and the relationships were clarified. The disagreement of the evaluation by dentists and patients suggests that both evaluations should be done comprehensively.