COMPARISON OF CHEWING ABILITY, ORAL HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS BEFORE AND AFTER INSERTION OF COMPLETE DENTURE AMONGST EDENTULOUS PATIENTS IN A DENTAL COLLEGE OF PUNE

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The relationship between tooth loss and nutritional intake is important. As people age,their diminished physical capacity and decreased income adversely affect their ability to maintain theirteeth. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the chewing ability, oral health related quality oflife and nutritional status before and after fabrication and insertion of complete denture amongstedentulous participants in a dental college.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Non Randomized Intervention study. The study population consisted of42 participants (16 females and 26 males), aged 50 years and above. Prior to commencement of the study,informed consent was obtained and validation and reliability test of the questionnaire were done. Thedata for chewing ability, GOHAI and nutritional status assessment was recorded at baseline, 3 rd , 6 th and12 th month after denture fabrication and insertion. The statistical comparisons were performed byrepeated measure ANOVA and Chi-square test. P value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.RESULTS: Chewing ability, GOHAI, BMI (Body Mass Index) and data from Food-intake questionnaireshowed statistically significant improvement from baseline to 6 th month but no statistically significantimprovement was observed from 6 th month to 12 th month. Nutritive value of food (protein, energy and fat)showed no significant difference over a period of 12 months (p<0.05).Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that the intervention (denture insertion) was effective in increasingthe chewing ability, body weight, food-intake, and oral health related quality of life.KEYWORDS: nutrition, edentulousness, OHQoL, GOHAI, chewing ability