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Published on: December 26, 2016
Post-Insertion Challenges That Complete Denture Patients Present to Dental Practitioners in Uganda: A Qualitative
David Nono1,2,3,4, Godfrey Bagenda5, Isaac Okullo3
1Department of Clinical Research, Central University of Nicaragua, Managua, Nicaragua.
Background:
Edentulism is a major global burden that contributes to disability and impairment. Globally, edentulous patients frequently receive removable complete dentures because they are still a preferred treatment modality. However, effective adaptation to removable complete dentures remains challenging. This study explored the post-insertion challenges patients present to dental practitioners after receiving and wearing removable complete dentures.
Methods:
This was a qualitative exploratory study conducted at Makerere University Dental Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Twenty-five key informant interviews were conducted with dental surgeons and dental technologists, who were purposively selected based on their training, years of practice and roles in removable complete denture fabrication and fitting. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The analysis was managed using NVivo software.
Results:
Dental technologists and dental surgeons revealed that patients commonly reported substantial post-insertion challenges like pain and discomfort, drooling, difficulty speaking, eating, oral hygiene and salivating. They also noted that patients' confidence and self-esteem were severely influenced by their displeasure with the way their dentures looked. Furthermore, they stated that patients frequently experienced denture instability. Dental technologists and dental surgeons reported providing post-insertion advice on hygiene, oral care adaptation. They encouraged patients to keep wearing their dentures despite all inconveniences and assured them that they would eventually get used and become comfortable with wearing the dentures.
Conclusion:
Patients presented several post insertion challenges relating to pain, discomfort, speech, drooling, salivating and hygiene which consequently affected their self-esteem. Post insertion advice and assurance was key in restoring confidence to patients to adapt to the removable complete dentures.
