Knowledge and Attitude towards Prosthodontic treatment among people in Belgaum city -A survey report

Department of Prosthodontics Dr.Kamal Shigli M.D.S. Professor Dr.Gangadhar S.A. M.D.S. Professor & Head Department of Prosthodontics Dr. Pradnya Hegde M.D.S. Lecturer

“We should meet the mind of the patient before we meet the mouth of the patient.” - De Van ( 1961)

OBJECTIVE To assess the knowledge and attitude of the subjects towards prosthodontic treatment.

A self-designed closed ended questionnaire containing 14 questions regarding the knowledge and attitude was designed. 423 subjects were surveyed (212 females & 211 males) period of 6 months Age group : 25-65 years

Collected data was analyzed for the: means, frequency and standard deviation. The data was statistically analyzed using chi square test at a significance level of p 0.05.

RESULTS 423 subjects surveyed 5 forms were not analyzed because of ambiguity in the way of answering. 136 subjects were dentulous

148 did not use any kind of prosthesis before 282 subjects were edentulous either in the upper, lower or both the arches. Out of 282 subjects : 148 did not use any kind of prosthesis before & 134 were using prosthesis.

1. The lost tooth can be replaced by artificial means No. of subjects

2. The different means of replacement No. of subjects

3. Complete denture treatment requires five or more visits No. of subjects

4. The artificial teeth used are made of No of subjects

5. The dentures need to be cleaned everyday No of subjects

6. The denture should be removed at night while sleeping No of subjects

7. One often gets pain in the mouth with dentures No of subjects

8. Dentures give more problems than natural teeth No. of subjects

9. One must pay careful attention to type of food eaten or when drinking with dentures of subjects

10. One looks better with dentures No of subjects

11. Dentures are as good as natural teeth No of subjects

12. People can hear clicks when one is wearing dentures of subjects

13. Talking with dentures causes unintentional spitting No. of subjects

14. People with dentures socialize less with their friends No of subjects

CONCLUSION Patient education is an essential element that should start with the initial contact with the patient. Need to allot more time for teeth selection and try-in. Awareness needs to be created regarding Implantology, which is an upcoming branch.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference” -Winston Churchill

ACKNOWLEDGMENT To all the subjects who participated in the study and To my colleagues in the Department of Prosthodontics .

THANK YOU