Effect of Prothesis on Oral Health and Quality of Life in Geriatric Patients

Purpose: Population of over 65 year-old people increases rapidly in the world. In this group removable dentures are alternative treatment in restoration of teeth loose. One of the most important goal of the health area is to promote accelarated elderly population s quality of life. There are some measures for assessment of quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of removable dentures on oral health and quality of life by Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Material and Methods: The study groups were formed by sum of over 65 year-old 59 people whom applied for treatment to Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry Department of Prosthodontics and Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine. Questions of GOHAI were asked face to face to patients by same person and they responsed the questions with five categories as always, often, sometimes, seldom and never . Furthermore demographic and prosthetic information were reported. Findings were analized statistically with Independent Sample t Test. Results: Age, gender, income, marital and education status do not have an statistically effect on oral health but for some age groups of prothesis, usage of removable prothesis and some type of the prothesis have an statistically significant effect on oral health. Conclusion: This study shows that wearing unfortable prothesis for a long time can effect quality of life negatively.