Qualidade de vida em pacientes geriátricos portadores de prótese removível

Abstract

Introduction: removable dental prosthesis are considered the most used oral rehabilitation method to date. However, they can show a negative impact on the quality of life of geriatric patients, and may affect individuals in this age group functionally, aesthetically and socially. Objective: assess the oral health status and its impact on the quality of life of geriatric patients with removable dental prosthesis. Materials and Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional observational study with a sample of 50 patients attending the University Dental Clinic and 95 residents form nursing homes in the District of Viseu. For data collection we used a questionnaire that covered sociodemographic aspects and the characterization of oral health, as well as the GOHAI and Leake Index’s, followed by an intraoral observational exam to assess the stability and retention of removable dental prosthesis. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was performed between the two sample groups. Results: the average age of the University Dental Clinic sample was 73.06 years, while in the nursing homes it was 83 years. Regarding the GOHAI Index, 52%, which is, the majority of the University Clinic participants, had a “Moderate” self-perception of quality of life related to oral health. On the other hand, 47% of the participants from nursing homes had a “Low” self-perception of quality of life related to their oral health. As for the oral health status, most patients had removable dental prosthesis with high retention and stability. Conclusion: it was observed that geriatric patients with removable dental prosthesis, although the vast majority have stable and retentive removable dentures, show a moderate or low self-perception of quality of life related to oral health, which influences negatively various aspects of daily life in this population.

Date of Award	30 Jul 2021
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Patrícia Couto (Supervisor), André Correia (Co-Supervisor) & Ana Silva (Co-Supervisor)