No abstract

Backgrounds Tooth loss is one of the major oral health problems among older Thai people. However, there is the existence of socioeconomic-related inequalities in dental service utilization, especially denture service. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants associated with inequalities in denture service utilization among older Thai people using the Andersen Behavioural model. Method This cross-sectional study involved secondary data analysis of the 2014 survey of older Thai people (N = 38,695). The dependent variable was a public denture service utilization over the past 5 years. Determinants were classified as predisposing and enabling factors. Predisposing variables included age, sex, education, economic condition and dependency status. Enabling variables included working status, health behaviours, health care utilization experience and social/community support. Data were analysed by using bivariate and multivariable analyses at α = 0.05. For bivariate analysis, chi-square test was used to determine the association between dependent and each independent variable. Then, all variables were incorporated into a multivariable binary logistic regression. Results The odds of denture service utilization were significantly higher for individuals who were older, female, and had a higher educational level and health-promoting behaviors. A positive dose-response relationship was demonstrated between denture service utilization and increased quartile of household assets. Conclusions Predisposing variables had a greater impact than enabling variables in denture service utilization among older Thai people. Despite free public denture service, socioeconomic-related inequalities persist. The government needs to reduce socioeconomic disparities to improve denture treatment inequality.

Purpose. This study investigated denture and patient related factors associated with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of complete denture wearers and their association with general health and happiness. Methods. This retrospective cohort study comprised 130 participants with complete edentulism, with maxillary and mandibular complete dentures treated at Chulalongkorn University Dental School during 2010-2017. The primary outcome was the presence of overall and domain-specific Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP). Secondary outcomes were diagnosed and perceived general health, and happiness. Denture retention and stability were classified as acceptable or unacceptable following the CU-modified Kapur criteria. Five esthetic-assessment criteria of the harmonization and proportions between facial and dental anatomical landmarks were measured from patient’s photographs. Age, sex, previous complete denture experience, and denture age were recorded. The associations between each variable and oral impacts were analyzed using bivariate logistic regression, and the factors with p < 0.25 were further adjusted using multivariable analysis. Associations between oral impact scores and general health and happiness were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation. Results. The most frequent oral impacts were on physical domain, while social domain was the least affected. Denture retention/stability was significantly associated with both overall and specific domains of oral impact. Happiness was found to be strongly correlated with perceived general health, but marginally with oral impact scores. Conclusions. Unacceptable complete denture retention and stability are substantial risk factors for impaired OHRQoL in complete edentulism. Maintaining optimal denture retention and stability in denture wearers is essential for good oral health and well-being with the goal of enhancing happiness.

No abstract

Denture stomatitis and fungal infection are commonly found in long-time denture wearer. Ionic liquids have been used as plasticizer and also possess antimicrobial activity. In this study, ionic liquid in form of 1-Decyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride was incorporated into tissue conditioner (GC Soft-liner TM ) to improve antifungal activity. Physical and mechanical properties were evaluated. Compliance was carried out using penetration test according to ISO 10139-1. Weight change, water absorption and solubility were determined by weight measurement. Conventional and nystatin-incorporated tissue conditioner served as controls. Results showed that ionic liquid-incorporated tissue conditioner significantly decreased fungal formation, both in material suspension and on material surface. The penetration depth of all groups tended to reduce over time with no significant difference at each time point. After water immersion, ionic liquid-and nystatin-incorporated tissue conditioner gained weight while conventional group showed weight loss. The percentage of water absorption of conventional group was significantly lower than ionic liquid and nystatin group, while the percentage of water solubility of nystatin group was significantly higher than others. Our work indicated that antifungal ionic liquid-incorporated tissue conditioner met the standard criteria in terms of material compliance. However, further studies including dynamic viscoelastic property are needed before clinical trial or application.