Partial edentulousness and its correlation to the educational status of the population in the southwest coastal region of India

Background: The pattern of partial edentulism has been studied in different countries in various selected populations by correlating between several parameters and the influencing factors such as socioeconomic status, educational status, age, and gender. Education is an important factor associated with the awareness of dental disease and its treatment needs. Aim: The present survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of partial edentulousness and awareness of its prosthodontic treatment needs based on the educational status in rural population of southwest coastal Karnataka and Kerala. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients reporting with request for removable prostheses were randomly selected and included in the study after obtaining the consent from the Institutional Ethics Committee. The patients were categorized into three groups as, below 10th Grade, 10th Grade to II pre-university college (PUC) and graduation and above. Subjects having edentulous space were further grouped according to Kennedy’s Classification. The data were recorded and then analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: Among the 100 subjects evaluated, 55 subjects were male and 45 were females. 46 subjects were below 10th standard grade, 16 were between 10th and II PUC and 38 were graduation and above group. Prosthodontic treatment need awareness was highest in Class III Kennedy’s Classification of partial edentulous space in both maxillary and mandibular arches. The maximum awareness about the implant placement for the treatment of partial edentulousness was among the graduation group. The awareness regarding the effect of missing teeth was high among the graduation and above group. Conclusion: Under the limitations of this study, it was found that the percentage of awareness of various prosthodontic treatment need increased as the subjects educational status increased. Clinical Significance: Educational status of an individual has a huge impact on the overall general awareness of one’s health needs and the treatment options available. Therefore, it justifies there is a greater need to educate not only the younger generation but also the elderly and less privileged, regarding the importance of oral health.