“They expect you to give teeth like God, which is very hard”: Dental Clinicians’ and Technologists’ Experiences and Perspectives on Removable Complete Denture Fabrication Services in Makerere University Dental Hospital, Uganda.

Abstract

Background: Globally, there is growing concern regarding mouth sores, occlusion, cost, ridge resorption, and retention, in the delivery of removable complete dentures (RCDs) fabrication services brought about by the aging of the population and poor oral healthcare. However, there is limited literature about the experiences of dental clinicians and technologists in handling removable complete denture fabrication. The available literature mainly focuses on the process of removable complete denture fabrication in general with less emphasis on the experiences of technologists and clinicians in removable complete denture fabrication. This study aimed to explore dental clinicians’ and technologists’ experiences and perspectives on removable complete denture fabrication. Methods:The study employed a qualitative design, 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with dental clinicians and technologists in Makerere University Dental Hospital. Both practicing dental technologists and clinicians were purposively selected after providing written informed consent. Interviews’ audios were transcribed verbatim, coded in Nvivo 14 and data were analyzed thematically. Results: Findings revealed that dental practitioners mainly referred to or followed international guidelines during removable complete denture fabrication. Clinical and socio-demographic assessments like age, oral hygiene, ridge level, underlying health conditions, and mental stability of the patient were done by dental clinicians before removable complete denture fabrication. Dental technologists and clinicians mentioned patients having a lot of expectations like looking the way they used to be before losing their teeth and hoping to get their natural teeth back, being able to eat well/everything, improving physical appearance, and having permanent teeth. However, the patients also had fears and concerns about discomfort, and some worried that they would be given teeth for the dead whites or swallowing the dentures while asleep, eating, or kissing. Conclusion: The study revealed knowledge gaps about removable complete denture fabrication and a lack of local contextualized guidelines in low and middle-income countries due to reliance on international guidelines.