Research Article Open Access

Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Awareness and Expectations Among Completely Edentulous Patients Regarding Conventional Complete Dentures

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between socioeconomic status of Patients with regard to their awareness and expectation regarding conventional complete denture treatment through a questionnaire based survey.

Material and Methods: The Present study was conducted in region of Delhi. 1500 completely edentulous patients of different socioeconomic status with age group of 63-74 years who report to Dental OPD first time are taken for the study from the period of January 2015 till January 2016. The sample questionnaire to determine awareness and expectation of conventional complete denture therapy was formulated. Results were statistically evaluated.

Results: The percentage of patients believing in dissimilarity between natural and artificial teeth was decreasing as moving from Upper to Lower class. Upper class and Upper middle class patients feel that artificial teeth may create problem initially whereas Lower class and Upper Lower class patients feel vice versa. Upper ,Upper middle and Lower middle class patients feel that they need to visit dentist after getting dentures made whereas Upper lower and lower class patients feel otherwise. Majority of patients in all socioeconomic groups feel that CD lasts for Lifelong. Percentage of Upper, Upper middle, Lower middle and Upper Lower and Lower class who had higher expectations from treatment was greatest. Percentage of patients with no expectation from treatment were highest in Upper Lower and Lower classes.

Conclusion: Socioeconomic status has a definite relationship on awareness and expectation of patients regarding complete denture treatment. This should be considered as one of the major factor affecting success of conventional complete denture treatment.

Monika Saini, Yashpal Singh

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