Comparisons of patient self-assessment of complete mandibular denture security

Records of self-assessed complete mandibular denture security were made by visual analogue scale, four-category functional scale, and by self-expressed satisfaction or dissatisfaction on 57 subjects that presented for replacement of complete dentures at an undergraduate clinic. Visual analogue scale scores formed two groups corresponding approximately to the groups of subjects expressing satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the current security of their dentures. The self-assessed visual analogue scale scores enabled variations in denture security to be quantified. Visual analogue scale scores of denture security were not normally distributed, but formed two separate distributions which corresponded approximately with the sets of satisfied (visual analogue scale > 50) and dissatisfied (visual analogue scale < 50) patients. The data showed that the visual analogue scale method was superior to the other two types of patient self-assessment.