The prevalence of denture wearing and the impact on the oral health related quality of life among elderly in Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Denture wearing, elderly, oral health related quality of life. Abstract This study aims to determine the prevalence of denture wearing among elderly and to compare the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) between elderly with dentures and those without dentures. This cross sectional study involved 506 randomly selected edentulous elderly in the district of Badang, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Consented participants were interviewed in the Kelantanese dialect at their homes by a single trained interviewer using the short version Oral Health Impact Profile [S-OHIP(M)] which had been translated into the Malay language, tested and validated for use in Malaysian population. Denture wearing and self rated denture status was noted. The prevalence of denture wearing was 46.2% (95% CI=41.83, 50.70). There was a significant difference in sex, smoking status, self perceived treatment need and self perceived satisfaction between denture wearers and non denture wearers. Denture wearers reported better overall OHRQoL compared to non denture wearers (p<0.001). They reported better OHRQoL in 3 items namely ‘difficulty in chewing’ ‘uncomfortable to eat’ and ‘avoiding food’ compared to non denture wearers. Thus appropriate measures are required to improve knowledge among the elderly regarding the use of dentures and the importance of proper denture care.