Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Removable Partial Denture Wearers and Related Factors

Over. 25% of the South Indian population is partial denture wearers. OHRQoL is crucial as it reflects the impact of oral health on daily functioning and overall well-being. This study investigates the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in removable partial denture (RPD) wearers in Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). 200 RPD wearers completed questionnaires on demographic characteristics and denture-related factors, alongside the OHIP-14 questionnaire through patient interviews. OHIP-14 was interpreted using both sum and prevalence measures. The mean OHIP-14 sum was 13.80 (SD 10.08), and OHIP-14 prevalence was 44.5%. The most problematic aspects identified were physical disability and physical pain, with 27% reporting meal interruptions and 24% experiencing eating discomfort. Significant associations were found between OHRQoL and factors such as self-reported oral health, frequency of denture cleaning, and denture usage patterns (hours worn during the day, while eating, and sleeping). The study concludes that the OHRQoL of the participants was generally suboptimal and closely linked to their oral health and denture maintenance habits. This underscores the importance of improving denture care and patient education to enhance OHRQoL in RPD wearers.