INFLUENCE OF SUBJECTIVE FACTORS OVER HYGIENE HABITS OF COMPLETE DENTURE WEARERS

Background: Hygiene of the complete dentures is closely related to the oral and general health status of patients. Different factors can impact hygiene habits of complete denture wearers.There not agreement of opinion about the most significant subjective factor. The aim of this research was to study the hygiene habits of the complete denture wearers and the influence of some factors as age, sex and education over patients behaviour. Material and Method: Subjects of observation in the study were 110 (48 men and 62 women) complete dentures wearers, aged 52 to 84. Questionnaire and information leaflet were created. The questionnaire contained 16 questions concerning the manners for hygiene maintenance of dentures and oral cavity, the sources of the information about the hygiene care and the score of the leaflet by the patient. Results: Washing dentures with water, soap and toothbrush was reported as preferred method for cleaning (32.73%).42.73% of participants were not provided with information about hygiene care for dentures. Significant correlation was established between patients education and: method for hygiene maintenance of the dentures (r = 0.5754) hygiene care of the oral cavity (r = 0.6395) use of additional means for disinfection of dentures (r = 0.6489). Conclusion: Within the range of this study we could conclude that the education is the more significant factor that impacts patients hygiene habits. The age is not determinative factor, whereas the sex of patients can impact their choice of methods and the frequency of hygiene procedures.